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Home My WebLink About8.2 Dougherty Hills Dog Park Renovation 'rt a��. AGENDA STATEMEN7 CtTY oF PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION DUBLIN MEETING DATE: lune 15, 2015 SUBJECT: Dougherty Hilis Dog Park Renovation Prepared by Meghan Tiernan, Parks and Facilities Coordinator ATTACHMENTS: Dougherty Hilis Dog Park Renovation Plan RECOMMENDATION: Receive report FINANCIAL STATEMENT: The estimated cost of the proposed improvements is $91,000. Sufficient funds have been allocated to complete the renovation in one phase. DESCRIPTION: The Dougherty Hills Dog Park on Amador Valley Qoulevard is approximately two-acres in size and has both large and small dog areas as well as 18 off-street parking spaces. Other amenities include fencing, double-gated entries, drinking fountains, trash receptacles, benches, signage and artwork. The design was approved by the City Council in February 2006 and the dog park was opened to the public in May 2007. Since opening, the Park has received tremendous use not oniy from Dublin residents but from residents of surrounding cities, and remains a popular destination. Back�round Staff presented the project, which included an overview of the existing conditions and a list of proposed improvements, to the Parks & Community Services Commission on March 18 of this year. At that time $40,000 from the Park Maintenance Budget for this fiscai year was identified for the project, however, implementing all of the recommended improvements exceeded the available budget. The Commission recommended Staff ineet with the stakeholders to identify priorities for the first phase of the project with other improvements to follow as funding became available. Since the March 18 meeting Staff has identified additional funding to augment the budget so that all improvements can occur in one phase and therefore a meeting with the stakeholders to identify priorities became unnecessary. Current Conditions The park has continuous active use which has led to the deterioration of the site over time. The ground surface within the dog areas, which is a combination of turf and no-mow turf, is worn from heavy use, wear and tear and lack of resting periods. The dirt is compacted which reduces oxygen to the roots and makes it difficult to keep turf alive. Additionally, drainage problems and the loss of groundcover create muddy conditions during the rainy season and contribute to soil erosion over time. The no-mow turf on the hillsides is bare in some places and also needs to be renovated. COPIES TO: ITEM NO: 8.2 G:\COMMISSIONS&COMMITTEES\PARKS COMMISSION\AGNDSTMT\2015\6-15 Item 8.2 Dougherty Hills Dog Park Renovation.doc While turf is the most desirable for dog owners, and in fact received overwhelming support when the dog park was first proposed, turf suffers the most from use and requires ongoing maintenance and closures to allow the turf to rest and keep it looking good. Staff recommends providing turf areas within the small and large dog park areas that can be fenced-off seasonaily for maintenance while leaving the surrounding area open for use. The surrounding area would contain a mix of no-mow turf on the perimeter, mulch near the maintenance gates betw�een the two dog areas, and unit pavers or decomposed granite paving in the heavily used area known as the "launch" at the large dog park entrance. Additionally, some of the plantings in the surrounding landscape are in need of renovation. Park users are concerned with plants that may host fleas and ticks. There are several aromatic plants, including sage, lavender and rosemary, whir_h repel fleas and ticks and may be suitable for the perimeter plantings outside of the fence. These plants are low maintenance, drought resistant and provide color and fragrance. The will also soften the edge of the park. Proposed irnprovements The proposed improvements will be installed as one project. Attachment 1 is a conceptual renovation plan. The proposed improvemer�ts include: • Correction of the drainage issues • Turf renovation and seasonal fencing for maintenance purposes • Repairs of large holes • Moving the bench away fron� the top af the steps in the small dog area • Relocation of the small dog area fence along /�mador Valley to the top of the siope • Installation of new surfacing at the "launch° area of the large dog park entry • Instaliation of a small retaining wall or header in the small dog park at the steps • Installation of a new drinking fountain • Renovation of the perimeter planting areas � Irrigation modifications for improved efficiency Operational Chan�es Staff is recommending new operating procedures related to dog park hours and closures. Currently the hours for the dog park are sunrise to one-hour after sunset. In response to complaints from neighbors regarding the noise emanating from the dog park, Staff will be recommending th� City Council update the Resolution regarding Dog Park rules making the Dog Park hours 9:00 AM to sunset daily. Staff is also recommending rain closures for the dog park, similar to the City's sports fields. The dog park would be closed when it rains, and for a day or two after a rain event to allow the ground to dry. This will reduce soil compaction and damage to the turf. The turf zone within each dog park would be fenced-off annually from March through May for major turf renovation and resting during the best recovery time for the grass. The Turf Sustainability and Maintenance Report identified May 1 through July 30 as the optimum time for this closure, as these are warmer months, the ground is warm enough to encourage root development, and the turf can heal faster. However due to the significant number of requests from the public to shift that to the winter, Staff will pilot the March through May in 2016 and reassess in future years. During this time the City 2 of 3 would condition the soil, thatch, reseed the turf, and allow for the plant establishment period. The no- mow and bark areas could remain open during this period allowing partial use of the dog play areas. 3of3 d,, . � — � � ,�, ,_ � � �i �i � vi � � �� c v a� +� m � � �,,� � � ro ra cv b d O � v �� v �'��.� m �'�, " � � � � � ' r�t�¢�� a ( � C � '4 '�� a�� ,� � � � �, �� s.g � . 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