New fencing planned for the Minnehaha Dog Park has created some tension among those opposed to the measure. The park is located at East 54th Street and South Minnehaha Drive in Minneapolis.
Michelle Garens has put together a petition with over 3,000 signatures.
"Once we realized that they were redrawing boundaries, I immediately just started this petition on change.org to get people aware of what was actually happening, and to try to get a sense of, if there was a community that was really upset about this," says Garens.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board says the goal is to protect Native American land.
Project Manager Carol Hejlstone says the petition won't affect their progress.
"A petition will not change the cultural and spiritual significance of the land adjacent to this dog park," Hejlstone explains. "And so, while folks may not want to see this change, we are moving forward to construct a physical barrier to prevent off leash dogs from being where they shouldn't."
Hejlstone says the fencing is to protect an area known as Mni Owe Sni (Coldwater Spring).
"That is an important space to the Dakota people," she says. "And so, in an effort to protect that land from impacts by off-leash dogs and their owners, we have been granted funds to support construction of a physical barrier."
Garens is frustrated because she feels the MPRB is being disrespectful.
"We just feel like instead of listening to us and trying to work with us, they're just taking this blanket approach where they're just drawing this really harsh line," Garens tells WCCO Radio.
An open house at the park will takes place Saturday morning from 9:30 to 11:30 to learn more about the planned fencing. The open house is in the shelter/kiosk next to Minnehaha Dog Park parking lot on East 54th Street. Dog park users can ask questions and get more information on their plans.