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County workers have put up the signs in two county parks to begin a 90-day trial program to let dogs be walked on leashes on walking trails in those parks.

The two parks are Central Ridge District Park on County Road 491 west of the Holder/U.S. 41 intersection and Floral Park, just south of Floral City Park off U.S. 41. The commission recently voted to allow a trial to let dog owners walk their dogs daily from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the walking trails. Numerous citizens' requests prompted county staff to propose a trial.

Parks and Recreation Manager Rafael Del Valle noted there are rules pet owners must follow. Only dogs can be walked, and the dogs must be leashed at all times and remain on the walking trails.

Most important to the success of the trial, he said, is the rule that owners clean up after their pets. Also all dogs walked in the parks must be spayed or neutered, have their shots, and be properly licensed.

Dogs are prohibited from fields, playgrounds, courts, restrooms and picnic facilities in the parks. All the rules are posted on signs on the trails next to doggie waste stations where owners can get waste bags if they don’t have any, and where they can also dispose of the bags.

After a 90-day trial, county staff will report their findings back to the commission.