Doggedly determined citizens are urging the city of Langley to pursue a park for canines to run free.

During a city council meeting Monday night, the idea to do a pilot project for a dog park, as discussed by the city’s Parks and Open Spaces Commission, fetched the council’s attention.

In 2019, mere weeks after agreeing to allow Seawall Park to be an off-leash dog park, the council rolled back its decision to do so.

Since then, Langley resident Eric Levine submitted a proposal for the study of such a park behind the South Whidbey Community Center. He voiced his support for the dog park at the council meeting.

Interim Public Works Director Randi Perry said the Parks and Open Spaces Commission was in favor of Mayor Scott Chaplin starting a conversation with the South Whidbey School District, which owns the property in question, about the pilot project. The commission asked the council to support a letter to the school district that would begin the dialogue.

Much like a dog chasing its own tail, the council went in circles, debating whether or not to include Levine’s proposal with the letter of support for the concept of the dog park.

Perry cautioned against sending the proposal. She suggested it might hold the city liable if city staff had not adequately researched it.

Chaplin agreed that Levine’s report shouldn’t be sent at this time.

“It’s a little too detailed to start a conversation with,” he said.

Councilmember Peter Morton pointed out that Levine could choose to send a copy of his study to the South Whidbey School Board on his own.

In the end, the council agreed with Chaplin in a 5-0 vote to send a letter of support for the dog park, sans proposal.