DESTIN — Earlier this year, many dog owners criticized the city for posting signs that banned dogs at all but one city park.

In October, the city council responded by instituting a six-month pilot program that allowed two city-owned areas — Mattie Kelly Nature Walk and Kell-Aire Nature Walk (south) — to become on-leash parks.

“I think everybody thinks we basically hate dogs up here,” former council member Tuffy Dixon said during the October meeting. “We’re not against dogs, but I do think a couple of our parks need to be reserved for ... people who don’t like dogs.”

Councilman Chatham Morgan suggested that Main Street Park be added after the six-month period.

Now that the program is almost at the halfway point, new City Manager Lance Johnson said he hasn’t received any negative feedback.

“Usually people don’t hesitate to call me if they don’t like something,” he said.

But dog owner Christy Young feels like the council may have missed the point.

“Nothing has changed for me,” Young said. “My complaint was the Main Street Park because that is walking distance for us. … I wasn’t looking for a park to have to drive to just for the sake of walking in a park. So I’m still mad.”

Johnson said he’s optimistic that the city council will add Main Street Park and turn the pilot program into a permanent one after the six-month trial period.

Young said she’s hopeful about that prospect but still doesn’t understand the need to wait six months.

“It’s not like tons of people use this park,” she said.

The city owns and maintains Nancy Weidenhamer Dog Park, a 3-acre facility with fenced areas for large and small dogs. As a dog owner, Johnson said he understands why the residents are frustrated with the lack of access to other city parks. He hopes the city will be able to create more dog-friendly areas in the future, including the beach.

“Honestly I wish we had a place on the beach where we could do it but right now we just don’t have that,” he said. “In the future maybe we will. If given the right place and the right resources, I would.”