The Sandy Springs City Council has passed an ordinance limiting the areas where pet owners can walk their dogs at the new City Springs downtown redevelopment – particularly the City Green, an outdoor recreation area.
“No dog or other domesticated or exotic animal/fowl, livestock or other wildlife shall be permitted on the City Springs Green except as part of an event licensed by the city,” the ordinance says. Guide dogs and service dogs will be allowed.
City Green has seating, tables and swings; interactive fountains for children, and a half-acre lawn, officials said. But in the short time the Green has been open, dogs and their owners have often left pet waste behind, and several landscaped areas have been damaged.
Violators will face fines of $50 for the first offense, $100 for the second and third offense, and $250 for any additional offices. Fines will not take effect until July 19, to give people time to become familiar with the new policy.
Officials cited “the child-centric play area which is a part of the park, as well as the grass area intended for events which will include lawn-style seating,” in approving the ordinance.
