WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) – Wausau will give dog owners some limited options to let their animal run off leash while city leaders explore a full fledged dog park.

The City Council on Tuesday amended its leash law to let animals run off leash at Oak Island Park and Picnic Island Park between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Memorial Park will also be off leash between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m.

“This is a temporary solution,” said alderman Dave Overbeck.

A city committee had originally endorsed Schofield Park as an off leash area. But the Council eliminated it is an option after neighbors raised concerns about a lack of separation between the off leash area and other busier parts of the park where children play.

The off leash areas are a compromise to the ordinance passed last summer that required all animals to be on a 16-foot leash in city parks. Prior to the change, owners could have controlled their animals with voice commands or electronic collars.