The Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park & Recreation District board of commissioners is seeking the input of island residents at a public hearing next week on potential off-leash dog sites.

The meeting is 6 p.m. Thursday, April 3 at the Strawberry Hill Center at Strawberry Hill Park (7666 NE High School Road).

The topic of the hearing is four potential locations for off-leash dog areas on park district lands. The four options under consideration are Battle Point Park North, Battle Point Park South, Strawberry Hill Park and the Madison Avenue Tot Lot.

The four potential sites have been staked out for the public to view prior to the public hearing.

At next week’s meeting, following a staff presentation of the four locations, the community will be invited to offer their comments. (The four sites can also be viewed on the park district’s website at www.biparks.org).

Park officials are still gathering input on the ideas. No official action will be taken at the meeting.

It is anticipated that following the receipt of public input, any or all of the above four options could be approved by the park board at an upcoming board meeting.

The effort to find locations in existing parks for off-leash dog areas is in response to community concerns about off-leash dogs in parks, and is a follow-up to three public hearings held in 2012 on the topic.