Commission sends Barclay Park off‑leash recommendation back to PRAC for more review and signage work

The Oregon City Commission directed staff on Oct. 15, 2025, to return a Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) recommendation to temporarily pause the off‑leash dog area at Barclay Park to PRAC for further review and refinement.

Scott Archer, Parks and Recreation Director, told the commission PRAC voted at its Sept. 25 meeting to recommend a temporary pause on Barclay Park’s off‑leash designation after receiving neighborhood concerns about dogs running uncontrolled, owner oversight and pet waste. The off‑leash designation originated as a PRAC‑initiated pilot in 2015 that designated small, existing park areas as informal off‑leash spaces while the city planned formal fenced dog parks.

Archer said PRAC did not specify a time limit for the pause; its recommendation used the term temporary to allow staff and PRAC to evaluate alternate sites, signage and program administration. He noted the program has persisted long after the original pilot phase without a formal follow‑up.

PRAC and staff noted other locations in the city where off‑leash activity has been concentrated, including Tyrone S. Woods and Wesley Lehi parks; staff said design for a formal fenced dog park at Wesley Lehi is in progress with the goal of construction in 2026 and some grant support identified.

Parks staff also told commissioners that formal code enforcement records show zero code enforcement calls regarding Barclay Park in the recent period and that city staff received only minimal resident complaints directly to the city over the last several months. Commissioners and staff discussed improving signage and marking an explicit boundary within Barclay Park for off‑leash activity rather than leaving the entire park ambiguous.

Mayor McGrath summarized the commission’s direction: “I think you got some direction. So it’s going back to PRAC.” Commissioners who urged further analysis emphasized the need for a defined review timeline and better signage so neighbors and park users have clear expectations and staff can gather data on use and complaints.

PRAC will revisit the recommendation and explore specific steps such as clearer signage placement, boundary markers for off‑leash areas, targeted outreach to neighbors, and a return timeline for the commission to review PRAC’s findings and staff recommendations.