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StoryPurgatory Park off-leash dog area evaluationJune 26, 2026

Minnetonka grapples with off-leash dog area enforcement failures

The Minnetonka City Council met June 17 to address persistent problems at Purgatory Park's off-leash dog area, where unclear boundaries and sign vandalism have made enforcement nearly impossible for police and frustrated city staff.

Published Jun 26, 2026

City staff presented four options for the future of the off-leash area at Purgatory Park, ranging from maintaining the current setup to installing new fencing. The discussion revealed significant challenges: the designated off-leash zone covers approximately 18.8 acres with a half-mile corridor, but police say the boundaries are not clearly marked, making it difficult to enforce the rules or educate dog owners.

"From a law enforcement perspective, the most significant challenge that we have found is that the boundaries of the designated off leash area are not clearly defined," said Police Captain Rachel Mihan. She emphasized that clear physical boundaries would make enforcement "considerably easier" regardless of which option the council chooses.

The city implemented a QR code reporting system in June 2025 to help residents report off-leash violations. While the system has generated credible reports, 81% came from just three individuals. Additionally, widespread vandalism and theft of park signs have plagued the area, though police said they captured thousands of camera images without catching anyone actively vandalizing the signs.

Staff estimated that installing fencing around the off-leash areas would cost approximately $60 per linear foot, potentially totaling around $250,000. However, no funding is currently programmed for improvements. Council Member Tizzy questioned why vandals caught on camera weren't being prosecuted, calling sign destruction a criminal offense.

The council did not vote on any specific option during the study session. Staff indicated they would await council direction before providing budget and implementation updates in coming months. The meeting underscored growing frustration with the current system, with one staff member describing the situation as "disappointing in a lot of ways" due to ongoing non-compliance and enforcement difficulties.

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Areas of Interest (7)

  • Minnitanka's Purgatory Park off-leash dog area faces 'significant non-compliance' and 'disappointing' enforcement challenges, despite new ordinances.
  • Unclear boundaries and persistent signage vandalism hinder police efforts to enforce off-leash dog rules at Purgatory Park.
  • Proposed fencing for off-leash dog areas in Purgatory Park could cost up to $250,000, with no current funding programmed, raising budget concerns.
  • A city QR code reporting system for park concerns at Purgatory Park is largely driven by just three individuals, accounting for 81% of its credible reports.
  • Police highlight that 'boundaries... are not clearly defined' as the most significant challenge to enforcing Purgatory Park's off-leash dog ordinance.
  • Despite cameras and criminal charges being possible, no arrests have been made for widespread vandalism and theft of park signs.
  • Council to consider four options, ranging from continuing current problematic layout to costly new fenced areas, for Purgatory Park's off-leash dog policy.

Notable Quotes (10)

It's been a challenge and I think you'll hear that from staff tonight disappointing in a lot of ways just regarding some of the non-compliance that continues to happen and the challenge es that it's posed for staff and trying to enforce an ordinance that's been uh really difficult in that regard.

— Mike
Off-leash ordinance complianceIntroducing the Purgatory Park off-leash dog area evaluation, highlighting ongoing issues.

The total area in terms of acreage for areas two and three was 18.8 acres approximately as as mapped in the field. And the off leash corridor was just over a half mile in length...

— Matt Kuma
Purgatory Park off-leash areasDescribing the current designated off-leash areas in Purgatory Park.

It was a substantial challenge trying to orient people out there when they were standing at these signs out in the woods to get a sense of exactly where they were and what direction they were heading when they were entering or leaving an on or off leash area.

— Matt Kuma
Signage challengesDiscussing the difficulties in effectively signing the large and complex Purgatory Park.

We noted that 81% of all the reports came from just three individuals, the reports that they did do were reviewed carefully and found to be credible, accurate, and consistent with the conditions observed both by our staff during our directed patrols and the trail camera footage.

— Rachel Mihan
QR code reporting system effectivenessDetailing the effectiveness and source concentration of the QR code reporting system.

From a law enforcement perspective, the most significant challenge that we have found is that the boundaries of the designated off leash area are not clearly defined.

— Rachel Mihan
Off-leash boundary clarityExplaining the primary difficulty police face in enforcing off-leash dog rules.

If the boundaries are very well delineated, no matter what decision is made, the enforcement is considerably easier, as is education.

— Rachel Mihan
Enforcement effectivenessStating the importance of clear boundaries for effective enforcement.

So again, approximately $60 per linear foot would include the posts, the fencing install, and the entry features related to these fenced areas.

— Matt Kuma
Fencing costs and considerationsProviding an estimated cost for installing fencing in the park.

if we have cameras in the park and people are vandalizing signs, then why aren't we charging these folks? Because to me, that's a criminal offense.

— Tizzy
Sign vandalism and enforcementQuestioning why no arrests have been made for sign vandalism despite camera surveillance.

We unfortunately we captured thousands of images, but we did not see anybody actively vandalizing the signs.

— Rachel Mihan
Sign vandalism and camera surveillanceResponding to a council member's question about prosecuting sign vandals caught on camera.

Funding is not currently programmed at this moment. We would need to review the capital improvement funding options and upon council direction, a staff update would be provided in the coming months as necessary.

— Matt Kuma
Budgeting and fundingDiscussing the budgeting considerations for the proposed off-leash area improvements.

People (11)

Paula RomeyCouncil Member

Council member for Ward 3.

Deb CalvertCouncil Member

Council member at large.

CAY KleyCouncil Member

Council member for Ward 4.

Rebecca ShackMayor

Presiding over the study session meeting and leading discussions.

1 quote

“Go for it.”

Directing staff to proceed with the Purgatory Park off-leash area discussion.

Paty Foster BoltonCouncil Member

Council member for Ward 1.

Kimberly WilburnCouncil Member

Council member at large, asked about tree removal and topography in Area 4.

Amanda MaxwellCouncil Member

Council member for Ward 2, inquired about removing Area 3 from some fenced options.

MikeStaff

Introduced the agenda items and staff presenters, highlighted compliance challenges for the off-leash area.

2 quotes

“Before we do that, just want to remind the council you do have an agenda in front of you.”

Reminding council of public comments received after packet publication for agenda items.

“It's been a challenge and I think you'll hear that from staff tonight disappointing in a lot of ways just regarding some of the non-compliance that continues to happen and the challenge es that it's posed for staff and trying to enforce an ordinance that's been uh really difficult in that regard.”

Setting the context for the Purgatory Park off-leash area evaluation, highlighting enforcement difficulties.

Matt KumaStaff

Led the presentation on the Purgatory Park off-leash dog area, detailed background, challenges, and proposed options for council.

2 quotes

“Thank you mayor. Thank you council. So tonight I'll start with a little bit of a background.”

Beginning the presentation on the Purgatory Park off-leash dog area evaluation.

“So, I I want to walk you through a variety of options for your consideration tonight. So, I'm going to refer to these as options one, two, three, and four.”

Introducing the four proposed options for the future of the off-leash area.

Rachel MihanPolice Captain

Supervises staff enforcing the ordinance, presented on the QR code reporting system and police enforcement challenges.

3 quotes

“Thank you. So in June of 2025, the city created a QR QR code reporting system that provided the residents with a non-emergency way to report off concerns and approve our ability to track and respond to the trends we saw.”

Explaining the implementation and purpose of the QR code reporting system.

“From a law enforcement perspective, the most significant challenge that we have found is that the boundaries of the designated off leash area are not clearly defined.”

Highlighting the primary obstacle to effective enforcement of off-leash rules.

“If the boundaries are very well delineated, no matter what decision is made, the enforcement is considerably easier, as is education.”

Emphasizing the importance of clear physical delineation for improved compliance and enforcement.

TizzyCouncil Member

Asked why individuals vandalizing park signs caught on camera were not being charged.

1 quote

“if we have cameras in the park and people are vandalizing signs, then why aren't we charging these folks? Because to me, that's a criminal offense.”

Questioning the lack of prosecution for sign vandalism given the presence of park cameras.

Places Mentioned

Minnitanka City Council (meeting location)Purgatory ParkStadola RoadExcelsier BoulevardPlymouth (location of signage production company)Southern Creek Bridge (within Purgatory Park)Oak Ridge (primary trail in Purgatory Park)Red Barn site house (within Purgatory Park)

Events & Meetings (6)

  • Minnitanka City Council Study Session: June 15, 2026
  • Council adopted revised off-leash dog ordinance language: November 18, 2024
  • Staff presented Minnetonka off-leash dog strategy to Park Board: April 23, 2025
  • Council directed staff to examine Purgatory Park areas 2 and 3: May 19, 2025
  • City created QR code reporting system: June 2025
  • Council directed staff to implement Purgatory Park areas 2, 3, and an unleashed corridor: August 25, 2025

Ordinances & Resolutions (2)

Revised Off-Leash Dog Ordinance

Adopted on November 18, 2024, to regulate off-leash dog activity in the city.

Minnetonka Off-Leash Dog Strategy and Guidance Plan

Presented to the Park Board on April 23, 2025, outlining strategies for managing off-leash dog areas.

Source document
Open source document

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Other Topics from This Document

  • Preliminary 2027-2031 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) review

  • July study session topics discussion

  • Off-leash dog ordinance compliance and enforcement challenges

  • Evaluation of off-leash dog area effectiveness

  • Staff recommendations for Purgatory Park off-leash areas

  • Funding considerations for park improvements

  • Review of QR code reporting system for park concerns

  • Analysis of park usage and vehicle traffic

  • Signage vandalism and theft in parks

  • Discussion of fencing options for off-leash areas

  • Natural resource protection in park planning

  • Topographical challenges in park development

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