Central Lyon parks may get new rules

Central Lyon County may soon get something it has never had - ordinances regulating behavior at area parks.

The Central Lyon County Park Advisory Board has devised some rules - not yet released - that cover animals, nudity, campfires and other activities at area parks.

"We came up with them and presented them to the county in March," board member Rick Zierenberg of Silver Springs, who is also the county's code enforcement officer, said at a meeting Wednesday. "When problems came up we asked animal services, but they refused to do anything, so we took the bull by the horns, visited the five surrounding counties to see their ordinances and came up with a draft."

That draft is currently being reviewed by the Lyon County District Attorney's Office and the Lyon County Manager. Zierenberg said when the district attorney and manager are done they will send it back to the advisory board for approval, then the proposed ordinances will be presented to the county commissioners, who will hold a public hearing.

Jannette Hoffert, Central Lyon County Parks Director said the presence of dogs had caused some problems in the parks.

"There were a large number of people bringing dogs to the soccer parks where kids were playing and using it for a bathroom," she said. "Also, dogs would break away from their owners and fight in the middle of the kids. It's a health-and-safety issue."

She added that the creation of dog parks is under consideration.

n Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111 ext. 351.