HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/2/2021 Item 11, McKenzie
Wilbanks, Megan
From:John McKenzie <
To:Avakian, Greg; E-mail Council Website
Subject:2-2-21 City Council Meeting - Item 11 Pickleball Courts at Mitchell
Dear City Council members,
While we support Parks and Recreation Department desire to meet the recreational needs of the community, we find this
request a bit frustrating where there is at least one other ‘high priority’ recreational use identified in the proposed Master
Plan update outreach efforts that is not receiving similar treatment - Dog Parks. For all of the same reasons being cited to
support the pickleball courts can also be applied to a dog park. The City has 13,000 dogs yet there is not one enclosed
dog park. This park is surrounded by hundreds of residential homes. On average, for every 100 homes there will be 60
dogs. Many of these dogs are sociable and active, and could benefit tremendously if they (and their owners) had a safe
place to go off-leash. Having dog parks spread throughout our town would allow the owners to walk to such facilities,
which is consistent with several of the City’s major goals. Pickleball already can be enjoyed throughout the City at either
existing tennis courts or at facilities built just for pickleball (e.g., new courts built last year at French Park).
When will the City start planning and providing for our canine companions? Please direct staff to start taking our dog
population seriously now to secure similar state grant funding to serve this multi-generational recreational unmet need.
Thank you.
John McKenzie
Friends of SLO City Dog Parks
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