THE DOG waste station at Bluff Valley Park in Bessemer will be relocated along the Iron Belle Trail to avoid confusion and clarify that dogs are not allowed in the park.

By JEAN NORDINE

[email protected]

Bessemer - Bessemer resident Louis Arnold addressed the Bessemer Parks and Recreation Committee Thursday, seeking clarification as to the "no dogs allowed" in Bluff Valley Park.

He said he was confused when he went to walk his dog in the park. He saw the sign, then observed a dog waste station.

Committee member Allen Archie explained the "no dogs allowed" sign was posted early this summer after there had been problems with dogs in the park being aggressive, even though they were leashed. When the decision was made to keep the dogs out, Archie had been in favor of eliminating dogs from the picnic, playground and pavilion areas and allowing them on the trail. But Archie then rescinded, saying, "It's easier to keep them out of the park all together."

Committee member Ron Zaleski reiterated, "It's better to go on the side of safety. We could have a dog park, but not in Bluff Valley."

He told Arnold, "No one is opposed to having a dog park in Bessemer and if there is a location that one can be made, then let us know."

After the discussion, the committee agreed to remove the dog waste stand from Bluff Valley and use it on the Iron Belle Trail, eliminating any further confusion.

The committee also adopted its 2019-24 parks and recreation plan.

While brainstorming for future projects, the committee discussed building an ice rink at Bluff Valley. City manager Charly Loper said the city has applied for grants to bring the project to fruition. The obstacle faced now is there is a water line that runs under the site of the proposed ice rink. No plowing would be able to be done in that area because the line would freeze.

Grant money would be used to move the line and a warming shack would also be constructed.

Another possible future project is building a bocce ball court downtown. Bocce ball is similar to curling, and played on a long, narrow court of sand or dirt, with one-foot boards along the sides and ends. The committee will look into the costs to build a court, with hopes of having it in use next summer.

Discussion was also held on developing a handicapped area near the creek in Bluff Valley Park.