AGENDA #2
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Public Forum on Potential Sites for a Dog Park
DATE: February 12, 2001
The purpose of this forum is to receive public comments on the proposed potential sites for an area to be dedicated to use as a dog park.
After Council discussion and input from citizens and advisory boards on use of Merritt Pasture, the Merritt Pasture Access Committee was convened and charged with recommending what types of activities and levels of intensity are appropriate for Merritt Pasture. The Council also created a Dog Park Committee to identify potential sites for dog parks.
The Dog Park Committee presented an interim report to the Council on September 11, 2000. At that time the Council asked the staff to analyze the sites proposed by the Dog Park Committee and also asked the Committee to limit the number of potential sites to be discussed at a public forum.
The Dog Park Committee then asked the staff to provide to the Committee an analysis of each of the potential sites listed in its interim report prior to the Committee’s reducing its initial list of sites. Through this process, the Dog Park Committee developed a list containing the five sites listed in this report.
Key issues to be determined are the sites the Council wishes to pursue for dog park sites. Potential sites identified by the Council Dog Park Committee are:
· Cedar Falls Park: on the north end of the park, south of the ballfields, and west of the tennis court access trail.
· Rear of Community Center Park: within the grassy area that lies between the rear of the Community Center and the Parks and Recreation Department administrative offices.
· Homestead Park: on the east side of the parking lot south of the southernmost access trail that leads to the soccer fields, just after a person on Northern Park Drive passes the entrance to the church.
· Southern Community Park: The site is a currently undeveloped parcel of about 74 acres. A dog park could be located anywhere on the property at this time. The Town is beginning a conceptual planning process for the site and expects that process to be completed in 2001.
· Meadowmont Park: One of the responsibilities of the developer of Meadowmont is to design and construct a park within the development. Staff currently estimates that the planned park will be completed and transferred to the Town within 2 years. During the Meadowmont approval process, the Council and the developer agreed on a plan for the park that includes 3 athletic playing fields, an outdoor basketball court, a picnic shelter, restroom facilities, a parking area, nature trails, and a greenway running the length of the Meadowmont development. Further staff consideration is needed to assess a potential site for a dog park area in Meadowmont Park as an addition or alternative to one of the other approved amenities.
While a specific size dog park has not been determined, our research indicates that between one and five acres is the ideal size for a dog park, although many urban communities provide successful dog parks smaller than an acre. Enclosing the dog park site is essential. Fencing ensures that dogs will not escape from the enclosure and endanger themselves, other animals, or other human park users. We also recommend that the fencing have a double gate system and signs posting hours of operation and rules.
Following tonight’s forum, we will compile the comments received and report back to the Council with recommendations.