Town officials tweaked a proposed ordinance amendment that, if passed, will ban dogs from parks and athletic fields across Barrington. 

The proposed amendment states that dogs shall not be allowed “on any Town-owned park or recreation area during any time that such park or recreation area has been approved by the Town for use by any sports league, group, or other association.” 

At the Barrington Town Council meeting on Monday, May 5, officials altered the amendment slightly, limiting the ban to a set period of time — April to November — each year. 

Barrington Town Council member Kate Berard said the existing ordinance (Chapter 67-11 Dogs prohibited from certain places) bans dogs from using the town beach from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. 

Berard said she wanted specific dates for the dog ban on parks and athletic fields. Other members of the council and Barrington Town Manager Phil Hervey agreed with Berard.  

The proposed ordinance change stems from an incident that occurred at the Chianese Park baseball field in late April. 

According to a police report, a Barrington Little League coach asked a man walking a golden retriever to keep his dog off the field, as the league has had issues in the past with dog poop left on fields and holes dug into the playing surface. Police said the dog-walker, who was holding a bat, approached the coach and yelled at him. The man allegedly swore at the coach and told him he did not own the field. 

The incident occurred about two weeks after the Kimberly Perrott Memorial Dog Park inside Haines Park was closed due to a field construction project. (The park is expected to reopen in October.)

During the May 5 council meeting, Berard asked for a clarification on the proposed ordinance amendment — she said the language in the amendment was a little unclear and asked if the law would also pertain to athletic fields located on Barrington school property. 

Berard said school property was technically town-owned, adding that she and her family often walk their dog at the Sowams School property. 

Assistant town solicitor Amy Goins said she believes extending the prohibition to school fields would require an action by Barrington school officials.

Berard also referenced new signs installed at Barrington athletic fields. The signs read “No Dogs Allowed in Athletic Field Areas.”

Berard said the signs are already up, but the council has not yet voted on this amendment. In fact, the issue of the proposed ordinance change was only before the council for introduction and not for its public hearing, which will take place in early June. 

Berard said it bothered her that the signs were up prior to the completion of the process. These conversations are important, she said. 

A councilor asked if the proposed amendment would also close the fields to dogs for the winter season. Goins explained that the prohibition would only impact fields that have been assigned to a youth sports league or group for that season. If no one is using the field during the winter months, Goins said, then the ordinance would not apply. 

Berard asked Hervey what the plan was for enforcement of the proposed ordinance amendment. 

Goins said the general fine provision included for all of the Chapter 67 ordinance would apply — there would be a $125 fine for violating the ordinance. 

Councilors eventually voted 5-0 to introduce the proposed ordinance amendment, including the time frame specifications. There will be a public hearing for the amendment at the council meeting in early June.