Radnor Proposes Simpler Rules For Dogs In Township Parks

RADNOR TOWNSHIP, PA — Dogs in Radnor Township parks has been a topic of discussion for several years, and at a commissioners' meeting Monday, all commissioners supported a new ordinance that would simplify guidelines for dog owners who want to bring their pups to parks.

Radnor Township Parks and Recreation Director Tammy Cohen spoke to the Board of Commissioners about the existing ordinance regarding dogs in township parks, saying it lacks certain clarity.

"Pets may accompany owners when under control unless specifically prohibited and posted by the Township" the current ordinance reads.

"There really hasn't been a definition for 'under control,'" Cohen said. "That of which might be deemed under control by one owner, on or off a leash, really is a subjective experience, depending on the owner, depending on the dog."

She also pointed out the ordinance only mentions Skunk Hollow Park, and that's due to the township's passing of a resolution regarding dogs in that park in February 2024.

"The goal has been to bring everything into one central location, to make it easy for everyone to find," Cohen said. A unified and thorough ordinance regarding dogs in parks would also simplify enforcement for township employees and the Radnor Township Police Department, she said.

Under the proposed ordinance that was introduced Monday, dogs will be allowed in 11 township parks and must be under their owners' control using a physical leash.

These parks are:

• Emlen Tunnell Park
• Ithan Valley Park
• James C. Ditmar Park
• North Wayne Park
• Petrie Park
• Radnor Nature Park
• Radnor TAP Trail
• Radnor Trail
• Saw Mill Park
• Unkefer Park
• Veterans & First Responders Park

Dogs in these parks would not be permitted on athletic fields and in the playgrounds.

And the dogs would not be permitted at all in the following parks:

• Bishop Richard Allen Park
• Bo Connor Park
• Clem Macrone Park
• Cowan Park
• Encke Park
• Fenimore Woods Park
• John L. Cappelli Memorial Driving Range
• Odorisio Park
• Radnor Memorial Park
• Radnor Skatepark
• Warren Filipone Park
• The Willows Park

The ordinance also includes language regarding off-leash dog permissions: "Dogs may accompany their owners in the following Township parks so long as they are under the control of their owners and off-leash while within the park grounds and must be on a physical leash while in the parking lot of the park."

These parks are Harford Park and Friends of Radnor Trails Park.

As for Skunk Hollow Park, the ordinance remains the same, saying all dogs must be secured and under the control of their owner on a physical leash on Saturdays, Sundays and on all township holidays from noon to the park's closing at dusk. Dog owners are responsible for keeping their dogs under control at all times within the park during off-leash hours.

Finally, the ordinance addresses service dogs and/or emotional support dogs, and the language is nearly directly from the Americans With Disabilities Act, Cohen said. Said dogs will be permitted in township parks as long as they are under the control of their owners at all times by harness, leash, or tether unless the devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the person’s disability.

Dog owners must secure their dogs on a physical leash within the parking lot of all parks at which dogs are permitted at all times. And dog owners are responsible for disposing of any waste created by their dog while in the parks.

Read the full ordinance online here.

Adoption of the proposed ordinance is scheduled for June 16.

Cohen adoption would come with a marketing campaign to keep the public information as well as new signage at parks.