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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 7.1 Dog ParkAlamoCreekParkCITY CLERK # 0920-20 AGENDA STATEMENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: September 19, 2000 SUBJECT: Proposed Off-Leash Dog Park at Alamo Creek Park Report by Diane Lowart, Parks & Community Services Director ATTACHMENTS: 1 ) Alamo Creek Park Master Plan 2) Correspondence from Alison Trent 3) Correspondence from Louise Clements 4) Correspondence from Stella Lappa 5) Correspondence from S. Kaiser 6) Correspondence from Maureen Meleos 7) Correspondence from Barbara Muhr 8) Correspondence from Joe & Pat Banchero 9) Petition Against Establishment of a Dog Park RECOMMENDATION: 1) Receive Staff presentation 2) Receive public testimony 3) Determine whether an off-leash dog park is an appropriate use for Alamo Creek Park FINANCIAL STATEMENT: Estimated cost to modify Alamo Creek Park - $24,200 DESCRIPTION: At the August 1, 2000 meeting of the City Council, Dublin resident Rose Rose addressed the Council requesting consideration of installing a off-leash dog park at Alamo Creek Park. Ms. Rose presented petitions containing 267 signatures in support of the dog park. Approximately 177 or 66% are Dublin residents. The proposed location at Alamo Creek Park for the dog park is shown in green on Attachment 1. The area is approximately 1½ acres in size and is presently fenced on two sides. Alamo Creek on the West, Willow Creek Drive on the Noah, Dougherty Road on the East and Wildwood Road on the South border the area. In order to convert this area for use as a dog park, additional fencing would be installed as well as double- gated entries on the noah and south ends of the area. Drinking water, garbage cans, benches and "dog waste clean-up tools" are also necessary. A rules sign would be posted at each entrance. The estimated cost to modify this area for use as a dog park is $24,200. At the direction of the City Council, the Parks & Community Services Commission conducted a public meeting on the proposed dog park on August 21, 2000. Notices were sent to over 400 residences in the Alamo Creek neighborhood. In response to the notice, seven written responses in opposition to the proposed dog park were received (Attachments 2-8). Additionally, a petition containing 120 signatures of residents against the dog park was presented to the Commission (Attachment 9). F:\dog park\CC 9-19 Dog Park Request.doc COPIES TO: Parks & Community Services Cormnission ITEM NO. After considering the public testimony related to the dog park, the Commission unanimously voted to oppose the dog park at Alamo Creek Park. The opposition of the Commission was based on the following: Aesthetic Impact on the Roadway and Neighborhood. The area of the park identified for the dog park is visible from Dougherty Road and is also the main entrance into the Alamo Creek development. At present, the area is a large grassy area that creates an aesthetically pleasing view from Dougherty Road and into the development. With the introduction of dogs in this area, there was a concern that the grass would die and the area would become unsightly. The result would be a negative image of the City to those traveling on Dougherty Road and to those entering the Alamo Creek development. Lack of Available Parking. There are 24 parking spaces in the parking lot for the park on Shady Creek Drive. Additionally, five cars can park on the street in front of the parking lot. As shown in Attachment 1, there is limited on-street parking adjacent to the park. The residents indicated that the on-street parking and parking lot for the park are heavily used by those who live in the area and, in particular, by the adjacent condominiums/townhouses. Consequently, there was a concern that there would be inadequate parking to support the additional use generated by the dog park. Safety/Access from Dougherty Road/Willow Creek Drive Intersection. The volume and speed of the traffic on Dougherty Road and the absence of a stop light to control traffic at the intersection of Dougherty Road and Willow Creek Drive created a concern about the safety and accessibility of this site. Probably of biggest concern to the Parks & Community Services Commission was the potential aesthetic impact on the roadway and neighborhood. Staff has discussed the maintenance requirements of a grass dog park with other municipalities with dog parks and has learned that the upkeep of a grass dog park is ongoing. It is recommended that sections of the dog park be closed off at intervals during the year depending on the volume of use. It is also often necessary to re-seed the grass, especially around the gate area, which is typically an area of heavy traffic. In some cases, there may be areas where the use is so great that it is impossible to maintain grass. These areas can be covered with cedar chips or mulch. One way to combat the aesthetic issue would be to plant shrubbery along the fence. Not only would the shrubbery conceal the view outside the fence, dogs are less likely to bark at activities taking place beyond the dog area. The Parks & Community Services Commission and the majority of those who spoke in opposition to the proposed dog park at Alamo Creek Park were in favor of a City mn dog park. Potential locations for a dog park identified by the Commission included future parks in Eastern Dublin, Dougherty Hills Park, East Bay Regional Park District's Tassajara Creek Park, Iron Horse Trail and Camp Parks. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council take public testimony and determine whether an off-leash dog park at Alamo Creek Park is an appropriate use of the area identifie& If so, a budget transfer will be necessary, as funds are not budgeted in the Fiscal Year 2000-2001 Budget for this purpose. Also, it will be necessary to amend Dublin Municipal Code Chapter 5.100 in order to allow dogs off-leash in designated areas of parks. The budget change and amendment to the Dublin Municipal Code will be brought before the City Council at a future meeting provided the Council is in support of an off- leash dog park at Alamo Creek Park. Additionally, if desired by the City Council, Staff could prepare a schematic design of the dog park identifying where the gates, benches, signs, etc. would be located on the site. -2- If the City Council is not in favor of an off-leash dog park at Alamo Creek Park, Staff requests direction from the Council as to whether additional Staff time should be spent to find an alternate location for a dog park. The adopted 2000-2001 Goals and Objectives include the following goal "Undertake feasibility study for dog park" which was given a low priority by the City Council. -3- PAlelm AREA t~4 P.gJ I:gXSS'fiaAH ~ ~tfMNffi'ENANCEItOAt)I I'Ei~ellqlAH PATH O~ LAWN AREA :. PrAY AREA PtAY..AREA , · ) Approx. acre ::- Dog Park Potential Location ,Alamo Creek Park Dog Park Lqcation Study , City -of Dublin · California ATTACHMENT I ~C Mayor Houston, This morning as I found myself reading an Monday, August 7, 2000 was reading The Valley section of the Tri-Valley Herald I article about a woman who wants a dog park in Dublin, (Dubliner pushes for pooch playground). The article states that Rose A. Rose wants a dog park built in Dublin. Why we need one when there are two in San Ramon and one in Pleasanton is beyond me. But if wasting town money on building a place where lazy owners can get around the leash law and get out of having to actually walk their dog isn't enough, they want to use part of Alamo Creek Park as their dog paradise. Town politics may escape my understanding, I am only 15 years old. But there is one thing I do know, that park isn't just some piece of land to run your dog on. Maybe if Miss Rose had children she would know that at a park you need all the space you can get. The field in that park may seem large during the winter when it' s to cold to play, and kids are at school, but during the summer the field is used mainly for sports, not just by people who defy the city ordinance. Also, during the summer there is a day camp nmning, which' I have worked at. The children play games on that field. And when you have 60 kids playing soccer or soft ball most of the field is used. I have lived here 13 years and have walked to Alamo Creek Park on weekends during the school year, and almost twice a week during the summer. I would hate to see such a beautiful, pleasant little park get smaller. And even if they did fence off 'the land used by the dogs you would still hear all of that barking. I also doubt that most people would clean up after their dogs', so then you would have the smell. Maybe you could suggest to Miss Rose that if she really wants a dog park bad enough to ruin such a beautiful part of Dublin she could use her backyard as the park, because I don't want it in mine. Sincerely, A!ison Trent, Dublin Resident ATTACH M F= N T 2 Ms. Diane Lowart Parks and Community Services Director 100 City Plaza Dublin, CA 94568 Dear Ms. Lowart: August 11, 2000 I am writing this letter to object to the proposal for a dog park at Alamo Creek Park. The area suggested is in the area bordered by Dougherty Road, Willow Creek Road, Wildwood and Willow Creek. It has been said that there is not much activity in this approximately one and a half acre of the park. I live in close proximity of that area. I am well aware that there is activity them. People come and go, sometimes a number of people, other times sparsely populated or none. This is what parks are all about. People go to parks for various masons and at various times. Last night I walked around that area and I counted ten people. I believe they were neighborhood people who walked to the park and were relaxing in the cool of the evening. Are these people going to be shut out? The creek runs the length of the proposed area on one side. Creeks are habitats for small undesirable animals. A dog park in time will createoa bed for disease not only for the dogs but for anybody who might come in contact with them. Special precautions need to be taken when heavy foliage such as grows by a creek is present. Encouraging rodents and other small animals out of the creek area is looking for trouble. Are we going to expose the population to diseases that are not only transmitted from dog to dog, but also to humans? Alamo Creek Park is a lovely area park. The park lends an aesthetic value to the community. I believe in part that has been accomplished by signs posted in several areas barring among other things, unleashed dogs. Although the parks are open to all to enjoy, the person submitting this proposal lives on Inspiration Circle in the West Hills area. Furthermore, the petition submitted contained signatures of people in such far away places as San Leandro, Tracy, Concord and more. This may be a valid petition for this purpose, but for what reason would people completely out of the area sign it? As a taxpayer, I resent tax dollars being used to accommodate dogs when it should be the responsibility of dog owners to provide proper space for their dogs. The cost is estimated at $24,200 and could be considerably more. Certainly more maintenance than is now required would be needed in that area. Since the money is not budgeted at present, it would have to be transferred. If the coffers are so full, shouldn't the money be spent to benefit all the citizens of Dublin? The pictures I viewed at the council meeting of a dog park in another city had the appearance of a shabby kennel. A dog park at Alamo Creek Park would be an eyesore for the residents of the ATTAC; H M E N T 3 Villages as they pass each day and an unattractive sight for the many passersby on Dougherty Road. Incidently, it was mentioned that six cars could be parked at the curve on the Willow Creek Road side, probably four cars would be a better estimate if parking at the curve in that area was allowed. There is a whim sign with red letters that very plainly reads, "NO PARKING AT ANY TIME". The City of Dublin is coming into it's own, not just a country village sandwiched between other cities. It is time we be very concerned with the appearance of all sections of the city. A dog park is not an asset to our community and denying access to a park area that has been open to all is unfair. This plan would be an environmental error. Very truly your.,s,s,sff;~ 7648 Tuscany Dr. Dublin, CA 94568 828-3737 cc: Mayor, Guy Houston Vice Mayor, Janet Lockhart Councilwoman, Claudia McCormick Councilwoman, Beth Howard Councilman, George Zika Stella Lappa 7692 Tuscany Dr. Dublin, CA 94568 (925) 551-7574 August 12, 2000 Ms. Diane Lowart Director of Parks and Community Services 100 Civic Plaza Dr. Dublin, CA 94568 Dear Ms. Lowart; I am writing to you to voice my concerns over the proposed "Dog Park" on the land adjacent to Alamo Creek Park. At present, many local residents battle with dog owners who already walk their dogs in Alamo Creek Park without leashes and who rarely clean up the waste their dogs leave behind. Some days the piles of waste are so numerous that you can't walk more than a few yards without smelling or seeing fecal matter on the walking track or in the grass. I sincerely doubt that an "owner supervised" park will change the bad habits of these pet owners who usually come out at night and use our public parks as their dogs' toilets. It is also clear, after talking to the head of Animal Control for Alameda County, that leash laws are nearly impossible to enforce. I was told that only one person oversees all of Alameda County and that local police and authorities are rarely able or willing to interfere with pet owners who violate leash laws. Dogs off of their leashes frighten me and there have been countless times when barking dogs have run up to me while their smiling owners stand yards away and tell me not to worry. Shotrid I stop using that beautiful park so that dog owners can have a public toilet and playground for their pets? Even though the proposed site is adjacent to Alamo Creek Park, you can't honestly tell me ~that the entire area will not be affected by people looking for that sanctioned little piece of "doggie heaven." However, my greatest concern is one of safety - not only on my daily walks, but in my ear. As you know, the comer of Willow Creek and Dougherty Road is very busy and hazardous in its present state. Cars averaging 15 - 20 miles over the posted speed limit race by from the north and south, making right or left turns onto Dougherty a white knuckled challenge. Do you seriously want to add to the confusion and danger by encouraging people and dogs from all over the region to come out and congregate near that intersection? My son has already voiced his concerns to the city officials regarding the eminent danger of that intersection - especially now ATTACH M E N T 4 that Dougherty is being improved and is more frequently used as a corridor between Crow Canyon and 1-580. Finally, you say in your letter that. this is a grass roots effort proposed by Dublin residents. How many of these particular residents live anywhere near the proposed site? I will not be surprised to find that most of them come from areas where parks are scarce or where their proposal has already been successfully challenged. I am certain that very few of them would want this park in their back yard. I would suggest that if dog owners are desperate for a park for their pets, the city should negotiate a section of Camp Parks, somewhere near the playing fields and far away from our residential areas. I'm all for goodwill between our residents and the residents of other cities, but surely we can come up with better ideas for bringing people together. Following through on this planned dog park will be a publicly 'funded convenience for a few dog owners, but a dangerous, noisy and unsanitary setback for everyone that lives near Alamo Creek Park. We need to preserve the beauty and tranquility of our few parks. Let' s put our tax dollars to better use and keep all of Dublin's residential areas from "going to the dogs." Thank you for taking the time to read and consider my concerns. Sincerely yours, Stella Lappa Dublin cc: Mayor Guy Houston and the Dublin City Council TACHMENT5 ,~ ATTACH M E N T 6 ATTAC; H M EE N T 7 Parks and Community Commission, I wou!d .like to voice my concerns about the proposed "dog park" in my neighborhood. When 'I first got the notice .t thought the Dog Park was for the dogs in our neighborhood and i; felt lets give it a try and see if it works out. I have since found out that this dog park is being touted. as a dog park for the WHOLE CITY and is starting to get all this attention. As I thought about the ramification of this I had to think of the negative impact on oaHadghborhood. One of the things you have to understand about our neighborhood is the fact that although Dougherty road is busy, our neighborhood is quiet'because of the one way in / one way out. This means the only people coming in are people who live here with family and friends visiting. By making this DOG PARK FOR THE WHOLE CITY in our neighborhood will change OUR neighborhood for the worse. One of the things that are already happening that adversely impacts the neighborhood occurs on the weekends in the summer when there are barbecues and birthday parties in the park. There are not enough parking spaces in the park so we get strangers parking in front of our houses. When my parents or friends come over to visit often they have to park down the street. This situation will worsen with the formation of the city Dog Park. Another issue is the fact that the propose dog park area is a park that is well maintained and always looks good. With the onset of dogs running doing their thing in wet and dry conditions I have to believe the park will never look as good as it does now. I know that we pay a yearly fee for upkeep of the park area in our neighborhood.. Who 'will pay for the extra things that will need to be done for the maintenance and upkeep of the park. Also who will police the owners when they have their dogs off leash to and from their cars, I guess the person making the proposal is expecting that to NEVER happen!!! If the city feels the need for a Dog Park then why not find a spot over by the Iron horse trail where the trail is separated by the creek and the dogs really have a big area to do some running. Or put it on the south side of doughtery road in the area where the proposal is for the new apartments. Joe & Pat Banchero 7622 Quail Creek Circle Dublin, Ca. 9.25-828-53 11 ATTACH M E N T 8 PETITION Residents of The Villages Against Establishment of a Dog Park at Alamo Creek Park NA~E~ ADDRESS :ITY 'TJ<" ""' t.<-(' r,. ~ /f ATTACH M E N T 9 PETITION Residents of The Villages Against Establishment of a Dog Park at Alamo Creek Park NAME ADDRESS CITY PETITION Residents of The Villages Against Establishment of a Dog Park at Alamo Creek Park / 7 e /17 NAME ~ ADDRESS CITY PETITION Residents of The Villages Against Establishment of a Dog Park at Alamo Creek Park NAME ADDRESS CITY PETITION Residents of The Villages Against Es~blishment of a Dog Park at Alamo Creek Park