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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/3/2021 Item 2, McKenzie Wilbanks, Megan From:John McKenzie < To:Advisory Bodies Subject:PRC 3/3/21 Meeting - Item #3 Master Plan Update Attachments:Generic Dog Park Elements.docx This message is from an External Source. Use caution when deciding to open attachments, click links, or respond. Dear Parks and Recreation Commissioners, Representing Friends of SLO City Dogs and our existing 13,000 canine companions within the City, we would first like to thank you, staff and the consultant for recognizing the immediate need for dog parks. Many of us are so looking forward to the day we will have places we can walk to safely take our dogs to be off leash for exercising and socializing. We fully support the concept of looking at the City from a walkability standpoint and breaking the City out into six subareas. We are also very supportive of the City including an enclosed dog park within each of these subareas. We concur that establishing an enclosed dog park is a high priority, and that efforts should begin immediately to finalize a location and design so construction of the first enclosed dog park can happen in the very near future. The following are suggestions to amend the Update to address this ‘unmet’ need that was identified in the existing Parks and Recreation Plan that was prepared 20 years ago: 1. Emerson Park is one of the two public places downtown (Sub-area 2 – the other area is Mitchell Park) that is large enough to support an enclosed dog park. There are many hundreds of homes within one mile that have dogs. We strongly encourage pursuit now, as a part of the Emerson Park’s Revitalization Plan (and not just a future use considered at a later date), that an enclosed dog park be included as one of the amenities to increase park usage and ‘walkability’; having a downtown dog park could also increase tourist traffic that travel with their dogs; Pg. 124 shows conflicting information with an enclosed dog park in both the short and long-term sections (suggest deleting reference in long-term section); 2. As there is overwhelming evidence currently in many of our parks that dogs are regularly seen off-leash, we would strongly support language that could be added to the Master Plan to allow completion of the outreach/design phase of one dog park in each sub-area in the next five years. With location and design in hand, outside $$ could then be raised (or grants secured) to (help) fund the construction phase. In addition to the unmet need, dog park infrastructure costs are relatively low and can be easily modified should a later full Park Plan overhaul/review determine the dog park layout should be changed. A relatively straight forward approach to achieve this would be to link the walkability elements identified in Section 1.6 (pg. 86) with the Framework for Park Improvements Tier 2 (pg. 117) where a sentence or two was added to give these Sec. 1.6 items ‘priority consideration’ as Tier 2 (and Tier 3) elements are considered for any park. 3. To make a dog park a success, there are both ‘essential’ and subsequent ‘important’ elements that are needed. As already stated in the document, previous dog park approvals have resulted in very small (and potentially problematic) parks. There currently is no guidance on what are minimum requirements for an enclosed dog park. Having such guidance will minimize potential problems in the future. To remedy this, the following sentence is proposed to be added to the end of Section 1.17 ‘Dog Parks and Dog Area’ (Pg. 88): Appendix __ provides a more complete list of essential and important elements that will increase the success of an enclosed dog park. Appendix __ is included as an attachment with this email to drop in at the end of the Appendix section of the Update. 4. With regards to Table F-1 in the Appendices on Rough Costs (Dog Parks), to be consistent with the text in the update about referencing all-weather ground cover (an ‘essential element’) needed in dog parks, this table should add ‘all- weather ground cover costs’ and either remove or put as secondary options the ‘safety lighting’ and ‘agility equipment’ 1 costs. Thank you for considering these comments. Thank you also again for supporting efforts to elevate the quality of life for our canine kids. John McKenzie Friends of SLO City Dog Parks Slocitydogs.org 2 Appendix __. Dog Park – Design Elements The following should be used for guidance of any new enclosed dog park within the City of San Luis Obispo. Dog parks include ‘essential’ elements as well as ‘important’ additional elements to enhance the human/dog experience while at the dog park. Essential Elements Size and shape. Preferable enclosed dog park size should be one acre or more (as recommended by the American Kennel Club). Dog parks may be sized down to ½-acre if larger areas are not available and still provide a workable dog park. Dog park shape can be highly variable. It is important to provide longer open areas for large dogs to be able to fetch balls/frisbees. Location. Most, if not all, of the enclosed area should be useable. Unusable or undesirable elements include: steep slopes, areas of ponding water or poor drainage, unprotected waterways, too many trees hindering ball throwing activities, potentially ‘toxic’ vegetation within close proximity (e.g., oleander shrubs, eucalyptus trees, etc.) Large-Small Dog Areas. To provide safety for small dogs there should always be separate enclosures for small and big dogs. Each enclosure can be separate and apart, but within easy walking distance. Large dog enclosures should be substantially larger than small dog enclosures. Fencing. Continuous sturdy fencing around each enclosure should be 4 to 5 feet from the ground. It should be made so balls cannot go under or through the fence. Fence design/materials can be variable. Gates. All dog entry gates shall have a double gate with 6’ x 10’ ‘holding area to reduce escapes and allow for better ‘introductions’ into the park. Large dog enclosures typically have two entry gates and the small dog enclosure will need one entry gate. Each enclosure will have a service gate to allow passage of larger vehicles that will be needed from time to time. Groundcover. An all-weather surface is needed to make the enclosure useable year-round. The type of material is variable but likely to be either wood chips or turf. Water Stations. Each enclosure should have at least one drinking water station (two preferable at the big dog enclosure). Waste Bags and receptacles/signage. Waste dispenser bags and waste receptacles will be placed strategically throughout each enclosed area. Dog Park Rule signs would be posted at each entry point. Utilities. Water, irrigation and electrical lines should be considered during initial design and installed or ‘roughed’ in during initial construction. Subsequent Important Elements Shade Structure. This element could also be considered ‘essential’ in some cases where no shade exists. Both humans and dogs should be considered when installing shade structures and large landscaping elements. Locating some benches/tables within or near shade structure is recommended. Benches/Tables. Durable benches should be placed on concrete slabs in multiple locations throughout the enclosed areas. Tables on concrete slabs should also be considered at various locations. Landscaping. Internal and external landscaping, namely trees and large shrubs have numerous benefits. Internally, it provides natural boundaries and separation for dogs that establish such mental boundaries, as well as provides shade. Care should be taken to avoid plants toxic to dogs. Initially, protective barriers around internal landscaping will be needed. External trees also provide shade without causing ball throwing interference issues. Storage shed. The storage shed would store tools, supplies and agility course equipment. This should be placed on a concrete slab. Kiosk. An information Kiosk would provide the following: dog park rules, upcoming events, sponsors, other dog- related information. Water Tubs. Some dogs love water. Tubs on platforms that can be easily emptied can enhance the dogs’ experience at the park. Should locate near landscaped area or low-lying area as they will be regularly dumped. Dog Washing station. As certain on-site conditions can result in dirty dogs, a dog-rinsing station (water spigot next to well-draining concrete slab) would enhance the dog park experience. Safety Lighting. As most parks will be a ‘dawn-to-dusk’ operation, night lighting would only be needed for safety and/or emergency needs. Electricity needs could be at shade structure, kiosk, entrances and shed. Memorial Elements. Most dogs are thought of by their humans as their children. When they pass, many people want a place to remember their loved ones. The following elements are examples to help in this grieving/ remembrance process: installing memorial walkways/circles/walls with individualized bricks, memorial plaques at key elements of the park, such as trees and benches. Agility Equipment. Most dogs do best when they are given ‘jobs’ to exercise their mental faculties. One such job is agility training. This is a great way to apply a dog’s physical and mental prowess. Such portable agility training equipment could be stored in an on-site shed. Public Art. Dog-inspired art work would enhance the dog park experience and create greater community interest.