HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-07-2017 PRC Item 03, McKenzie
From: John McKenzie <
Sent: Wednesday, June 7, 2017 10:20 AM
To: Advisory Bodies
Subject: PRC - 6/7 meeting - Dog Park Grant Item
June 7, 2017
Parks and Recreation Commission,
IVED
JUN p 7 2017
This is a letter of support for the City's effort to formalize at least one fenced off -leash dog park within the city limits. Towards that
end I will continue to encourage the City to 1) prepare and approve a Dog Park Plan, and 2) to find funding sources to build a dog
park. Based on the assumptions stated below, the City has more than 10,000 dogs, and more coming with the new development in the
works. Nationally over the last 15 years, there has been a steady increase (25%) of dogs in households. We need more attention NOW
given to the unmet needs of our faithful canine companions! The existing dog area is good for only a limited group of dogs. It is
currently not good for: wanderers, bolters, water -loving dogs, and small dogs. It is not good for people that need shade, do not like to
track mud into their vehicles, have physical disabilities, or worry about ticks or water born disease vectors.
Should the City approve a Plan and obtain funding, it is my intent to also help work with the City to develop a volunteer group to help
in the maintenance and possibly construction of such a facility. The grant application, if awarded, would go a fair distance to fund
essential amenities of a fenced park. I expect that additional funding will be needed to provide for all the amenities, including more
parking, that would make it a great park. I fully support staff's effort to attempt securing this grant.
In reviewing the staff report items included on pages 3-1 and 3-2 under maintenance, I have the following comments:
1) The paver collar at the water station that has been installed looks nice and is an improvement; however, water is ponding
(with mud) within this area and water dogs, like mine, love to lay in it and get muddy. It would be great if the pavers could be reset
(and sand/gravel added underneath) to eliminate the low -laying area;
2) On the 250 feet of fencing cited in the first paragraph, it was unclear if that was the same as the temporary snow fencing
referenced in the second paragraph; if not, the update should include a short summary; furthermore, I would suggest this fencing be
put on hold pending the outcome of the grant efforts, and if successful, incorporate this into the permanent dog park fencing;
furthermore, if this fencing will go forward anyway, and any of it is along the existing roadway, I would suggest it be set back at least
20-30 feet off the edge of roadway pavement to allow for additional parking; the dog area parking lot is overflowing about half the
time I visit the park and more parking should be installed;
3) Could a large water tub be added at one of the water stations? (this would be dumped periodically by users as water gets
dirty)
With regards to the survey, I am glad to hear staff believes the number of responses received was considered a respectable response. It
should be noted that there are probably about 7,000 households with dogs in the City which does not include outlying areas or other
communities.
Thank you for your continuing efforts to improve our dogs' quality of life which in turn improves the life of the human with that dog!!
I fully support the City's continuing path of `going towards the dogs'...
Sincerely,
John McKenzie
805-441-5894 (johnnimac@earthlink.net)
10,000 dogs — Assumptions/Facts
City of SLO pop — 47,339 (2015 census)
Per national 2012 estimate, over 1/3 of households (35.6%) own 1-2 dogs (1.6 average/household).
Based on the 2010 census for SLO there are 2.2 people per household; and if this is applied to the 2015 City pop., there are about
21,518 households.
Based on these stats there are over 7,000 households with dogs, and when the 1.6 dog average is applied there would be over 10,000
dogs within the City of San Luis Obispo.