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An organization that represents Denver neighborhood groups says a pilot program that will install advertiser-supported dog waste dispensers in local parks stinks. Meanwhile, supporters of the program say it’s a great way to clean up the public parks at no cost to the city.

Denver Parks and Recreation is allowing a company called Poo Free Parks to install, maintain and service dog waste dispensers in up to 10 Denver parks. The dispensers are scheduled to be installed in late May or early June, and the pilot program could be expanded city wide if it’s deemed a success.

Advertising

To fund its operation, Poo Free Parks will feature advertisers on its waste dispensers to help cover costs. 

Not everyone is on board with the idea. The Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation (INC) says the advertisements might be in violation of Denver Parks and Recreation’s own policy that forbids “the permanent placement of a corporate logo, brand or product placement in a public facility.”

“We do not allow commercial advertising in Denver parks,” said Larry Ambrose, co-chair of the INC Parks and Recreation Committee. “This is a departure from what’s happened in the past.”

No ‘call to action’?

Jill McGranahan, a spokeswoman for Denver Parks and Recreation, said that in discussing their sponsorship policy with the City Attorney’s office and senior management and its application to this pilot program, advertising is defined as “a call to action.” The advertisements associated with Poo Free Parks will not include a call to action, such as a phone number and/or Web site, but rather a “branding of environmentally conscious organizations that want to help ensure the enjoyment and safety of our parks for all users,” she said.

Additionally, McGranahan said that the signs would only be put up for a maximum of six months at a time, and therefore wouldn’t be considered a permanent placement.

Moratorium sought

Ambrose said that regardless of Denver Parks and Recreation’s claims of legality, there should be a moratorium on going forward with the pilot program until the public becomes better informed. 

“(The proposal) wasn’t run by all of the neighborhood associations that will be affected, it wasn’t run before the INC, or the Parks and Recreation Committee, or the Denver Parks and Recreation Advisory Board before a contract was negotiated with (Poo Free Parks),” he said. “We don’t think there has been a thorough and public procedure for something of this nature. We want to open it up to public discussion, look at alternatives and make sure everyone knows what is going on.”

Support from dog owners

If the public discussion was opened up to the dog owners at Cheesman Park yesterday, the proposal would get a big go-ahead. Six dog owners said that they would support having more dog waste bags and dispensers, even if it meant there would be advertisers sponsoring them. 

“I think one of the biggest issues for people is that people don’t clean up after their dogs,” said Kate Nicholas. “If there are stations here, then really no one has an excuse.”

Ambrose said he has his doubts that the minority of people who don’t clean up after their own dogs would change their ways, even if the waste bags were nearby and available.

“That’s not something that I think will be solved by having commercial dispensers in the park,” he said.

Bigger plan in works

The dog waste dispenser stations are only part of the Dog Park Master Planning and Policy Recommendation Process being promoted by Denver Parks and Recreation. Several other topics — including off-leash dogs, dog licensing, vaccination and enforcement — are also being addressed in an effort to “foster healthy relationships between dog owners, non-dog owners and all park users.”

The city is asking people to participate in a survey at DenverGov.org/ParksAndRec to let their voices be heard on the proposed master plan. Responses will be accepted through April 30.

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