The City of Boise is trying a new strategy to discourage Canada geese from hanging out in Ann Morrison Park, grazing on grass and leaving huge amounts of poop.
Dogs will be allowed to run off-leash in a specified areas of the park, preventing the geese from getting too comfortable. The pilot program runs through Feb. 28 (sunrise to sunset).
The designated off-leash area is from the fountain to the east side of the park (see map in link to right). Signs have been posted around the park. Compliance officers will cite owners of dogs found off-leash in other areas of the park.
Dog owners are asked to clean up dog waste, and all dogs must have a current license.
The goose poop problem is seasonal. As people return to the park in the spring and summer for soccer and lacrosse, the geese move on to other green spaces.
City officials did a yearlong study of the geese in parks to determine whether the offending geese were migratory or "residents" that nest in the Boise area. The migratory birds were determined to be the issue. To try to reduce the overall number of geese, the parks department oiled eggs in nests at Ann Morrison, Julia Davis and Kathryn Albertson parks.
