Dog owners confronted the Parks and Recreation Commission last
week, wanting to know when a permanent off-lease dog park would be
funded.
Dog owners confronted the Parks and Recreation Commission last week, wanting to know when a permanent off-lease dog park would be funded.
Instead of a definite answer, they heard of an entirely new idea that could make a permanent park happen a lot sooner and possibly even eliminate the need for an interim park, in the works for PG&E property on West Main Avenue.
The group expects to hold a fundraiser on May 15 for the interim park but hope for city financial help with the permanent facility.
Public Works Director Jim Ashcraft had suggested building the dog park on the areas of an existing city park where the turf has been reduced to lower water and maintenance costs in the face of water shortages and budget cuts.
Mori Struve, deputy public works director, passed the idea along to the PRC and DOG, the dog owners group. DOG member Marlys Warner said later in an e-mail that she was pleased with the Ashcraft/Struve idea.
“This is the best solution of all,” Warner said.
After Struve provided DOG with plans of eight city parks, members Gloria Zufall and Evonne Davenport walked the parks on Wednesday and decided that, while two would be appropriate, one stood out.
“Community Park is fabulous and meets all our needs. It looks very promising,” Zufall said. “We looked at the areas of low maintenance there, behind the tennis courts – near the unused horseshoe pit.”
They also considered an area on the left – or west – side of Diana Park.
To turn a corner of Community or Diana Park into separate fenced areas for large and small dogs, with water to drink, lights at night and benches for weary owners to sit on, would cost less than starting from scratch, which is what the group would have to do at the PG&E site. And using their volunteer funds, DOG could jump start the permanent park themselves.
Carol Holzgrafe covers City Hall for The Times. She can be reached by e-mail at ch********@mo*************.com or phoning (408) 779-4106 Ext. 201.
