The Town of Fountain Hills has determined it will implement a plan to limit access to the ball fields at Golden Eagle Park. The Community Services Advisory Commission met March 12 and is recommending restricting access to the ball fields to those who have made a reservation.

The problem, according to Community Services Director Rachael Goodwin, is dogs. People are using the ball fields at the park as an off leash area to run their dogs, and are not cleaning up after them. Park officials say this became particularly noticeable with the completion of the field restoration that cost more than $500,000. The fields were damaged by flooding last fall.

In a memo to Town Manager Grady Miller provided to The Times, Goodwin outlined the issue.

“As we near the completion of the Golden Eagle Park ballfield restoration, it has come to the attention of staff that off leash dogs have continued to be an issue on the ballfields. We have had staff reports of more than six dogs on the fields at one time and dozens over the course of the weekend,” Goodwin said.

“Prior to the fields being open, we also had the locks cut to allow dogs access, as evidenced by the paw prints throughout the infield. We regularly receive complaints regarding dog waste on the fields.

“In general, our ballfields have been left open to allow for drop-in play, however this open policy has also allowed access for dog usage as well. While we have signage posted on all fields that dogs are not permitted, this continues to be an ongoing problem.”

Goodwin said she asked the CSAC for input on the issue and a workgroup of commissioners was formed to evaluate the situation and report to the whole commission.

“[Commission members] recognize the difficulty of balancing public access with community asset protection,” Goodwin said.

Commissioner Daniel Fecteau was a member of that workgroup and said he changed his mind from his initial perspective of the problem after doing some research.

“I felt it was important to have open access for the community,” Fecteau said.

He discovered as he looked into the issue that allowing dogs to run “at large” is against state law. He said that applies to anywhere except private property or a sanctioned dog park, which Fountain Hills has at Desert Vista Park.

It was also noted that a feces problem is considered a health and safety issue.

Parks Superintendent Kevin Snipes said access restrictions would apply only to Golden Eagle Park. Fields at Four Peaks Park will continue to have open access for team practices. He also said it only takes a quick phone call to make a reservation for the fields at Golden Eagle. Any time there is a sanctioned game or tournament, park personnel are on site to prepare the fields for play. He said they can also be reserved for practice sessions.

“Reservations will be required for use of the ballfields,” Goodwin said. “We currently have a proactive reservation system with Little League, outside tournaments and our senior softball program, so I do not anticipate any interruption or impact on these users.”

Signs will be added to the ballfields directing residents on how to reserve fields and will include contact information for Community Services.

The number to use to make a reservation for drop-in use is 480-837-5100. This is the primary number to Town Hall.

People will also be permitted to walk their dogs at Golden Eagle Park as long as they comply with the leash requirements and remain on walkways apart from the fields.

The commission voted 8-0 to take the steps to address the situation.