HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-01-26 Public Comment - K. Allen - Request of text amendment to Bozeman Municipal CodeCustomer Submission #CS-26-
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Created on August 29, 2026 by +12063138653 Allen
Description
Good day, Mayor and Commissioners. My name is Keanu Allen, and I am a
resident of Bozeman living at 1800, S 22nd Avenue. I am formally requesting that
the City Commission initiate a text amendment to our municipal code to remove
the off-leash dog designation at Burke Park / Peets Hill, returning the entirety of
the park to a mandatory on-leash area. While I understand that Peets Hill has
long been a popular spot for dog owners, the reality of Bozemanʼs rapid growth
means this park is no longer capable of safely sustaining off-leash activity. Peets
Hill is one of our community's most iconic and heavily trafficked natural spaces.
Because it is a shared space, the high volume of unleashed dogs has created
severe, compounding issues that impact all citizens. First is safety and
accessibility. The narrow trails on the bluff make it impossible for trail runners,
cyclists, families with small children, and elderly residents to avoid loose dogs.
People who are vulnerable, fearful of dogs, or walking reactive dogs on leashes
deserve equal, safe access to Bozeman's premier park without being
approached or charged by uncontrolled animals. Second is the environmental
degradation of a sensitive landscape. Off-leash dogs frequently stray from the
designated trails, accelerating severe soil erosion on the hillside, damaging
Assigned to
Alex Newby
Collaborator/s
Mike Maas
Due By
09/01/2026
Submission Age
3 Days
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Customer Messages
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Internal Comments
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Tasks
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Channel
Web
Source
Internal by
+12063138653
Allen
Category
Public
Comment
Department
Clerk's Office
Customer Name
+12063138653
Allen
Customer Email
-
Cell Phone
+12063138653
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native vegetation, and displacing local wildlife. Finally, we face an enforcement
crisis. The off-leash boundary between Peets Hill and the adjacent Gallagator
Park is constantly ignored, essentially turning the entire trail system into an
unregulated off-leash zone because animal control resources are stretched too
thin to police the transition. Transitioning Burke Park back to an on-leash space
is the most responsible way to protect our natural infrastructure and ensure the
trail is safe, welcoming, and accessible to every member of the Bozeman
community. I urge the Commission and the Parks Department to begin
evaluating this necessary change. Thank you.
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