The ball is now back in the city council’s court.

The board of the Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park & Recreation District recently agreed to go along with the city of Bainbridge Island’s idea to let dogs go off-leash at Pritchard Park.

Earlier this year, the council decided to start a pilot program to allow off-leash dogs at the popular waterfront property on Eagle Harbor during park hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Saturdays until noon.

But in May, the city council agreed to seek the approval of the parks district — which co-owns much of the Pritchard Park area with the city — before actually starting the pilot program.

At the parks board meeting earlier this month, the park board approved an interlocal agreement that would set up such a program.

But there was something new in the contract — a requirement that the pilot program extend for three years, and not the three-month timeframe that was under consideration earlier by the council. Park officials have said that a three-month experiment would not be enough time for officials to determine whether the program would actually work as intended.

The proposed agreement could also delay the transfer of the park property to the park district as long as the pilot program is in place. Also noteworthy: The city would be on the hook for any maintenance or operational costs associated with the off-leash area.

The council has yet to review the interlocal agreement and debate its merits at a public meeting. And with the council on a reduced meeting schedule for August, it’s doubtful that the proposal will come before council members before September.

By the time it does reach the council dais, we hope that city officials will have figured out what constitutes the bigger priority: transferring Pritchard Park to an entity that is well-equipped and experienced in the proper administration of parkland, or the launching of an interesting but misguided experiment that would require the city’s attention — and limited resources — over the next three years.