HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/28/2020 Item 4, McKenzie
October 23, 2020
RE: Planning Commission Meeting(10/28/20) Item #4 Financial Plan Goal Setting
Dear Planning Commissioners,
I represent the group Friends of SLO City Dog Parks (SLODOGS). We have been working on raising awareness within our
community and with the Parks and Recreation Commission on the lack of and need for enclosed dog parks within the
City of San Luis Obispo. Our efforts to establish enclosed dog parks are now being identified as one of the top five
recreational needs as staff completes work preceding the release of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan (PRMP)
Update. Currently we have no enclosed dog parks within the City limits.
ship &
Demographics (https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/reports-statistics/us-pet-ownership-statistics), 38.4% of homes
have dogs and of those households each has 1.6 dogs. Based on the 2010 census for the City of SLO, there are 2.2 people
per household. When applied to the 2017 City pop. of 46,724, there are about 21,286 households. Based on these
assumptions, it is estimated that SLO has approximately 13,078 dogs. Put another way, for every 100 residences,
approximately 61 dogs will be found. And we currently do not have an enclosed dog park.
It is our hope that your Commission will concur and recognize there is an unmet recreational need that warrants budget
considerations in the upcoming 2-year cycle, and direct the City Council to include direction to staff to pursue inclusion
ndrd
in the upcoming budget for an enclosed dog park. The PRMP will likely be approved by the Council in the 2 or 3
quarter of next year, so such considerations now would be timely. The Draft Master Plan Capital Improvement Program
considered by the Parks and Recreation Commission on 7/8/20 estimates the basic costs to establish an enclosed dog at
around $165,000 (see report at
https://opengov.slocity.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=125134&dbid=0&repo=CityClerk).
Despite the risk of a $500 fine for an unleashed dog within the City, many dog owners are letting their dogs loose daily at
school yards, ball fields, public parks, tennis courts, to name a few venues. New development is being approved and
built with either very small or no yards. Dogs need places to run. The 20-year old existing Parks and Recreation Master
Plan identified dnd yet we do not have any enclosed dog parks.
Establishing dog parks within the City is consistent with and promotes Goal #4 to improve walkability. As dog parks are
established near residential areas, many dog owners will walk to the dog park and not need to drive to one to exercise
their dogs. The City has 11 existing parks that could convert ½ acre or more to an enclosed dog park without hindering
existing recreational uses. If we had a dog park within each of our major residential areas we would significantly satisfy
ongoing desire to create a walkable community.
Given the support seen to date on establishing dog parks efforts, SLODOGS is
currently pursuing to become a non-profit group. Once the first dog park is approved, as a non-profit, we intend to raise
funds and provide support to install many of the dog park amenities. This will reduce potential costs to the City. It will
also be our intent to help provide volunteers to maintain such facilities.
Building an enclosed dog park is long overdue. canine
companions are eager to have legal places to socialize and play. Please direct staff to help make an enclosed dog park a
reality within the next two years as a part of the financial budget goal setting item before you. Thank you for your
consideration.
John McKenzie
Friends of SLO City Dog Parks