Dog Park Update: Board to Hold Public Hearing Wednesday

Editor's Note: The following letter comes from the ParkInfo e-mailed newsletter regarding the Park Authority's upcoming decision on dog parks in the county. It is unedited. To sign up for the newsletter click here. 

 Last week the had a discussion about dog parks in a Facilities Committee meeting.  

Following a briefing I did for them after I was asked to follow up on some information that would clarify process and costs.  I have done that leg work.  In addition, since they they asked that I provide some alternative locations.

On Wednesday they agreed to put the approval of the Lease agreement between the Park Authority and LRPRA for the Minnieville site on the March 23 agenda, along with a request to move forward with the PFR (Public Facilities Review) and to begin the masterplan of that site.  I am preparing the documents for that to occur.  This would be a great opportunity for the Board to see the level of support we have in the community for this dog park, so please come and join us that evening.

The Board also agreed to allow staff to continue to research the potential for using the two little league fields (that have recently been taken out of play) at the landfill for a dog park location.  If this site is a possibility there is quite a bit that is already in place.  There are already fences in place, there is a water connection, there is plenty of parking and it is very accessible by car.  We would need to add gates to the dugouts (field side and from the outside) and this would provide the double gated area we would like for letting the dogs off leash.  In addition, there are 2 fields, so we can accommodate big dogs and small dogs.  I have been working with the County Attorney's office on the process that would be necessary and hope to have some final answers prior to the meeting on the 23rd.

If all goes well at the meeting on the 23rd, I would like to schedule a meeting with the support group in the next week or two following.  I think it would then be time to formalize a support group - or at least do the work necessary to get one in place.

I want to thank Jeff Porter who had an opportunity to speak up at the Facilities Committee meeting to help explain why a support groups needs a site to focus their efforts on so that they can form.  I think his words helped move this forward.

I hope to see you on the 23rd, and if you can't make it, look for communication from me within a few days following so we can get the next meeting set. 

Thank you for your continued support of this effort.

Debbie Andrew, Director
Operations/Planning and Support Services  

dandrew@pwcparks.org   or (703) 792-4284