There will be free dog nail cutting on Tuesday, September 20, 4 - 6 PM
8 vet tech students from Globe University will be in the park to cut your dog's nails on the date/time above. This is entirely FREE, but if your dog is aggressive or very uncooperative, they have the right to refuse. 
They will be at the two picnic tables in the NORTH MEADOW during the hours noted, assisted by BC volunteer Gina Kiser. 
They did an unannounced nail cutting session last spring, and it was very successful.

Every fall, Park and Rec allows 2 deer hunting sessions (Bow & Arrow only) in Battle Creek park, so the dog park will be closed for the following days:

• October 10-11-12 (M, Tues, Wed)
• November 7-8-9 (M, Tues, Wed)

This is always a good time to explore what other parks have to offer, including Woodbury and the other Ramsey County dog parks.  (See Jan's list of other Dog Parks HERE)

It appears the pond is ready to be reopened, but we have asked P&R to test it one more time before the gates are unlocked, just to be certain. 
The scum on top of the pond is harmless duckweed (the brownish-reddish patches is just decaying duckweed); The water is clear, with none of the telltale greenish color that denotes the presence of the blue green algae.

P&R tested the water in the "swimming pond" recently, and I am pleased to say it is much better than when it was first tested (around June 1). 

Even though the pond still tests positive for BGA, the expert who did the testing feels it would be safe to reopen it for dog swimming. However, P&R feels it would be prudent (their phrase was "abundance of caution") to keep the pond closed at least through the summer, since it is possible spells of hot weather may bring elevated levels of BGA. (dated: July 17, 2016)

Saturday, April 23, 2:00 PM
Battle Creek Rec Center
75 Winthrop St. South
St. Paul, MN  55119
(651) 501-6347

The Rec Center is about 4 blocks west of the dog park just off Upper Afton Road. I you need directions, Google “Battle Creek Rec Center” or click on the map image.
 

Topic -  Dog Parks:  Do’s and Don’ts
A big dog park like Battle Creek can be a complicated place, given the huge number of people and dog visitors. The purpose of this seminar is to help you better understand the dynamics of our dog park.

The seminar will be conducted by Cheryl Gfrerer,  a gifted dog trainer who will talk about the “do’s and don’ts” of a good dog park experience. Her comments will be specific to Battle Creek and along with other topics will cover canine body language, how we can better communicate with other owners about potential problems, and how to break up a dog fight.

There will be plenty of time for your questions, so tell your dog park friends and we’ll see you on Saturday, April 23 at 2:00 PM.
 
 
Questions?
 
Contact:
Jan Carr
carrjan@gmail.com
cell: 651-341-8441
 
Facebook:  Click on our Facebook Icon at the top of the page.

DOG PARK CLOSED: November 9-10-11
Every year Ramsey county allows two deer hunting sessions in the dog park (bow hunters only). The first session was in October, and the second session will close the dog park on November 9,10, and 11 (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday).  The Woodbury dog park is a good alternative; it is free, but a regular dog license is required (from your home jurisdiction).
http://www.ci.woodbury.mn.us/house-home-and-pets/dog-park

I have spoken to our water quality specialist at the County. The photos that were provided - which were very helpful! Are a common duckweed. That level of surface vegetation makes it HIGHLY unlikely that any algae exists in the ponds.

That being said - two pups were extremely sick after swimming in them, which is likely due to some sort of micro-organism in the water, which we are unable to test for. Some dogs may get sick from it, others may not.

Those ponds are not very deep, and are not monitored for water quality. Which makes them subject to water quality issues. So please use them at your own risk. If you have any further questions, please let me know.

Jennifer Fink
Recreation Services Supervisor
Ramsey County

Blue Green Algae warnings come around every summer, but it appears the problem with blue-green algae is much more pronounced this year. BC regulars will recognize the common duckweed, which is not a problem. What you should look for a bright green scum on the water (almost like paint).  Here is some more info from the MN Pollution Control Agency: 

Summertime in Minnesota: When in doubt, best keep out!
When temperatures climb and the summer sun beats down, conditions are ripe for Minnesota lakes to produce harmful algae blooms, some of which can be harmful to pets and humans.

What: Harmful algal blooms (HAB) are blue-green (cyanobacterial) algal blooms containing toxins or other noxious chemicals, which can pose harmful health risks.

Why is this a concern? People or animals may develop skin irritation or upper respiratory problems from exposure to HAB, and in extreme cases, dogs and other animals have even died after drinking lake water containing these toxins.

Where: Severe blue-green algal blooms typically occur on lakes with poor water quality (high in nutrients), and look like green paint, pea soup, or a thick green cake (see photo gallery below for examples). HAB often result in extremely low water clarity (less than 1 foot). There is no visual way to predict the toxicity of an algal bloom

What should I do if I suspect a HAB on my lake? When these conditions are present, people should avoid contact with the water and they should prevent animals from swimming in or drinking the water. Scientists do not yet know what causes some blooms to produce toxins while others do not, so the safest course of action is to avoid contact with all blue-green blooms.

What does it look like? Blue-green algae can be hard to distinguish from other types of algae. While it's often described as looking like pea soup or spilled green paint, it can take other forms as well.  The photos on their website show some of the diversity of blue-green's appearances and also provides some examples of other types of algae or plants that may be mistaken for blue-green algae.

http://www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/water/water-types-and-programs/surface-water/lakes/blue-green-algae-and-harmful-algal-blooms.html