Shawnee County bans unauthorized camping and requires leashes for dogs on county property
Shawnee County commissioners on Thursday banned unauthorized camping on county-owned property and required leashes for dogs in the county's parks and on its trails.
Commissioners Aaron Mays, Kevin Cook and Bill Riphahn voted unanimously to approve one home rule resolution sponsored by Riphahn prohibiting unauthorized camping and another sponsored by Mays requiring dogs on park properties to be controlled by leash.
The measures don't take effect immediately, as home rule resolutions don't become effective until they are published in the official county newspaper, which is the Topeka Metro News, said Amanda Monhollon, the county's public information officer.
The resolutions will be published Aug. 28, said the office of county Clerk Cyndi Beck.
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The measures had support from Lynn Cress, vice president of the Kaw Valley Bicycle Club. Cress said an increase in homeless camps along the Shunga and Landon trails have made those trails unsafe for club members to ride alone, especially women and children.
"Passing a leash law that covers parks and rec properties goes a long way to providing tools for enforcement, and we thank you for your efforts," Cress said. "However, the proximity of homeless encampments near the trails continues to be a health and safety issue for all involved."
Cress suggested there be routine patrols from law enforcement; routine collection of trash and debris; a point of contact be established along the trail to respond to issues along the trails, and the county collaborate with Topeka's city government to create a joint management team, which would work together to manage the trail.
"Rules and regulations for trail use should be consistent for both county and city property," he said.
Resolution to ban camping and personal property on county property
Commissioners on Aug. 17 had heard first readings of the proposals presented by county counselor Jim Crowl and Tim Laurent, the county's parks and recreation director.
Riphahn's proposal bans camping and the storage of personal property on county property except in areas designated for such activity, such as the campground at Lake Shawnee.
That measure's passage provides the county with "civil remedies only" and won't provide for the criminal prosecution of any violator, Crowl said.
Criminally, people present on county park properties between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. may already be prosecuted for criminal trespassing.
The new rules regarding camping provide due process to owners of such property by requiring them to be given notice of removal and arranging for any materials to be temporarily stored after they are impounded.
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The measure approved Thursday requires the county to give violators seven days' notice before their property can be impounded. Impounded property is to be stored for 90 days, then discarded if it isn't claimed.
The resolution prohibits placing obstructions on county property; starting an unauthorized fire on county property; and running electricity to or affixing signs, banners, etc., on county property, except in designated spaces.
Leash requirement bans dogs running at large
The leash requirement passed Thursday bans anyone from allowing any dog to run at large within the boundaries of any public park, trail or other outdoor recreational facility operated by Shawnee County Parks and Recreation.
Violators can be fined as much as $50.
The leash requirement doesn't apply to service dogs if the handler's disabilities prevent the use of a leash for the dog or if the leash interferes with the service dog's safe, effective performance of tasks, Laurent said.
The requirement also doesn't apply to law enforcement dogs.
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Keishera Lately is the business reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. She can be reached at klately@cjonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @Lately_KT.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Shawnee County OKs camping ban, requires dog leashes on county sites
