Park Rules & Guidelines Edit page

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, CALL 911. Use the address "901 North Orianna Street" or the cross-streets of Orianna and Poplar. If individuals ever feel unsafe or uncomfortable, they should remove themselves from the situation immediately and if necessary, call the appropriate local authorities.

Orianna Hill Park consists of 3 separate sections: the Picnic (or People) Park, the Community Garden and the Dog Run.  As such, each section has additional rules/guidelines that individuals must follow, in partnership with the ‘General Rules’ section.  

Orianna Hill Park is a privately owned community space that is open to the public, with the understanding that users follow the below rules.  The park reserves the right to prohibit use if individuals refuse to follow any of the rules.

1. General Rules
   1. Individuals use the park at their own risk. 
   2. Individuals are responsible for their own actions, as well as for the dogs, people and/or items that they bring to the park.
   3. The park is not responsible for any harm to its users, their dogs, their property and/or their guests. By using the park, individuals are assuming the risk of such harm.
   4. Violence of any kind is not tolerated; individuals who use/exhibit violence will be asked to leave immediately.
2. The Picnic Park (Corner of Orianna and Poplar)
   1. The picnic park is open to people only. Dogs are prohibited (even leashed).
   2. All trash should be deposited within the designated receptacles. 
   3. Individuals are not allowed to pick flowers, remove flower bed borders, or remove anything else from the park.
3. The Community Garden (Poplar Street)
   1. Community garden plots are rented to neighbors on a seasonal basis and are not open to the public.
   2. Individuals are not allowed to enter the community gardens unless they are a current gardener or are accompanied by one.
   3. Individuals not renting plots cannot take any fruits, vegetables, or flowers from the garden. These are the private property of the community gardeners.
4. The Dog Run (Orianna Street through to 3rd Street)
   1. All dogs must be registered to use the park. Individuals can register their dog(s) for free online at https://oriannahill.mybarkpass.com/. No ‘visiting’ dogs are allowed. By registering, the park reserves the right to share contact information in the case of incidents. 
   2. Individuals are responsible for their dog(s) and must actively watch their dog(s) at all times. Dog(s) must remain in their owner’s line of sight.
   3. Individuals must be able to maintain control over their dog(s) in order to have them use the park. 
   4. Individuals may not bring more than 3 dogs to the park at a time.
   5. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
   6. Orianna Hill Park, its Board of Directors, and its members are not responsible for the actions of any individual or dog at the park. If an individual or their dog(s) are injured at the park by another dog or human, the individuals involved must settle any issues with each other.
   7. If a dog behaves aggressively towards another user or dog, the owner must remove their dog immediately. Common courtesy suggests they should also apologize and check that the person/dog is all right. 
   8. The following are strictly prohibited at all times:
      1. Dogs not registered with Orianna Hill Park.
      2. Dogs with a known history of fighting/biting/aggression.
      3. Dogs less than four months old. Puppies under the age of four months usually cannot be fully vaccinated, and are both susceptible to and potential carriers of disease. Young puppies can die from diseases they pick up from the park ground.
      4. Dogs not currently vaccinated against rabies. The law requires all dogs 4 months of age and older be vaccinated for rabies.
      5. Un-fixed/altered adult dogs. Female dogs older than 8 months and male dogs older than 1 year must be neutered to use the park.
      6. Female dogs under 8 months are not allowed to use the park while in heat.
      7. Dogs with a diagnosed communicable disease or condition.
   9. Dogs must wear a flat collar or harness at all times in the run.  The park strongly discourages the use of prong or pinch collars while inside the dog run as they can lead to injury.
   10. Individuals must clean up after themselves and their dog(s) and deposit all trash/poop in the designated receptions. They are responsible for any mess made while using the park.
   11. Users must observe ‘quiet hours’ between 10 pm and 7am. Individuals are expected to respect the neighbors of the park and limit excessive barking and/or noise. Any dog(s) who are loud players should use the park outside of these times.
   12. Entering/Exiting the run:
       1. The dog run has two entrances and exits bordering the park, located on N. Orianna Street and 3rd Street. 
       2. To keep dogs safe, individuals should use the entrances/exits one at a time.
       3. Ensure each gate is always closed and secured, including interior and exterior gates, to prevent dogs from escaping.
       4. Remove or attach leashes in the area between the gates to reduce the chance of leash aggression.

CONFLICTS

Individuals must resolve issues and/or disputes among themselves. If an individual knows of another dog or park user with whom they have repeated negative interactions, they should work to avoid using the park at the same time.

The Board generally will not get involved if an incident occurs. However, please note that the Board always reserves the right to revoke a dog’s membership based on incidents of aggression by a member or their dog(s).  

Park users may report an incident by filling out an incident form.

If an individual is involved in an incident at the park, they should:

Gain control of their dog(s).

Exchange contact information with the other owner in case follow up communication is needed. 

Remove themselves and their dog(s) from the park immediately. 

If an individual is unable to obtain the other member's contact information, they can contact the Board at [email protected] or by filing an incident report. It is a condition of use for the park for owners to release their contact information to other members if their dog is involved in an altercation at the park. The board retains the right to release contact information if needed.

WAIVER

Individuals use the park at their own risk. Dog owners are liable for any injuries caused by their dogs to other dogs or to people. Orianna Hill Park carries general liability insurance which specifically excludes dog bites.

COMMON DOG PARK ETIQUETTE 

Below are some encouraged practices for members to follow to ensure a fun and safe experience for all dogs and dog owners.

1. If you notice someone is the only one using the dog park, announce your arrival so they are aware. Sometimes owners may intentionally use the park at low usage times.
2. If you see someone’s dog go to the bathroom, and the owner does not see it, politely let them know their dog pooped, so they can pick it up.
3. If your dog has been feeling under the weather, or has an upset stomach/irregular bowel movements, avoid using the park until they are back to normal.  Like humans, dogs can spread germs.
4. Human food is discouraged in the dog park, as it may attract dogs and lead to reactivity or dogs ingesting foods they should not.  Drinks are allowed, however owners should be mindful of what is brought in and clean up any trash.  Individuals are responsible for any food/beverages brought into the park.
5. Be mindful of bringing treats and/or toys from home, as they could attract other dogs and lead to reactivity.  While your dog may be OK sharing toys at the park, they may exhibit resource guarding over things brought from home.
6. Learn your dog’s body language, so you can redirect if needed.
7. Understand different dogs have different play styles.  If your dog tends to play on the rougher side or is very vocal when playing, and they begin to play with another dog for the first time, initiate conversation with the owner to let them know and check to see if the owner/dog are comfortable with that play style.