Pets must be on leashes; disallowed uses are spelled out.

Dogs and other pets must remain on leashes in county parks, according to new rules adopted last week by the Leelanau County Board of Commissioners.

Acting on a recommendation from its Parks & Recreation Commission, the board voted 7-0 on Oct. 9 to adopt a new set of rules for the two parks currently owned and maintained by the county – the Myles Kimmerly Recreation Area near Maple City and the Old Settlers’ Picnic Grounds near Burdickville.

District No. 1 commissioner Jean Watkoski, who serves on the Parks & Recreation Commission, explained that an existing set of rules for parks had not been properly published because portions of them were too detailed for inclusion on signs. She said wording of the new rules had been shortened and that a new requirement for pets to be leashed was one of the few substantial changes.

Both parks are open from sunrise to sunset, and consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited. Also not allowed in the parks are fireworks, camping or the operation of off-road vehicles, including snowmobiles.

Although officials acknowledged that enforcement may be difficult, “music from radios and/or other devices shall not be excessive or disturbing to other park guests.”

Because the Old Settlers Picnic Grounds is located on Glen Lake, the rules for that park also prohibit beach fires, diving off the dock and the launching of power boats.

Anyone bringing a pet to either park is “responsible for any clean up of messes made by pets,” according to the new rules.

The full county board has been invited to attend a Leelanau County Parks & Recreation Commission meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. at the Conservation District office at 112 W. Philip St. in Lake Leelanau. The meeting will be open to the public.

During the meeting, commissioners are expected to hear about a third park the county hopes to acquire soon – the former Veronica Valley Golf Course property in Bingham Township. A grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund will be used to help pay for acquisition of the property; however, budget issues in Lansing have delayed the payout of grant funds.