Title
Agenda Item:
Recommendations for Off-Leash Dog Areas in Olympia
Body
Issue:
After complaints about noise and related disruptions experienced by neighbors to the Sunrise Off-Leash Dog Area (OLDA). the City Council asked the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and staff to develop recommendations for siting of new off-leash dog areas and closing of Sunrise Park OLDA
City Manager's Recommendation:
Move to authorize staff to proceed with next steps consistent with the recommendations from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (listed below numbered 1-5), with the understanding that any land acquisition or lease agreement and park development would be subject to Council approval and funding appropriation.
Staff Contact:
Dave Okerlund, Parks Planning Manager, 360.570.5855
Presenter(s):
David Hanna, OPARD Associate Director
Rob Ahlschwede, Chair, PRAC
Jim Nieland, Vice-Chair, PRAC
Background and Analysis:
Our Approach:
Two public workshops were conducted to understand the needs and frustrations of both dog park users and dog park neighbors. Following these meetings, a 10-member citizen's advisory group was formed comprised of volunteers from the two public workshops. Several members of the group live adjacent to the Sunrise Park off-leash dog area (OLDA). This group met seven times since it was formed in April, 2012. With the exception of discussions with land owners/managers, citizen advisory group members have participated in all facets of the site identification process. The citizen advisory group worked with staff, neighbors and interested citizens to develop criteria for the identification of potential OLDA sites.
What We Did:
- The hours of operation at Sunrise Park off-leash dog area were reduced and the facility closed on Sundays
- OPARD staff and citizen's advisory group members researched over 20 potential sites.
- Citizen advisory group members and staff participated in conference calls with dog park experts from Portland and Bellingham.
- A sub-committee was formed to explore the feasibility of providing unfenced off-leash dog areas within existing city parks.
- Citizen advisory group members conducted a user survey at Sunrise OLDA.
- The sub-committee discussed dog park issues with Susanne Beauregard, Director of Thurston County Animal Services.
- Staff inquired about potential County properties within Olympia's Urban Growth Area.
- OPARD staff inquired about potential Port of Olympia properties.
- OPARD Staff went to Portland, talked to their staff and visited many of their dog park facilities.
- Citizen advisory group members participated in two tours to visit twelve of the sites having the greatest promise.
- A special PRAC public meeting was held for the citizen's group to make its recommendation, and to hear public comments on the recommendations.
What We Learned:
- Multiple OLDA sites provide convenient access and preclude over-use of a single facility. (Portland has 32 OLDAs).
- OLDAs should be centrally located within their service areas, and easy to access.
- A thorough public process, well-attended by neighbors and neighborhood residents, must be undertaken prior to the construction of an OLDA.
- OLDAs should not share a common property line with residential uses.
- The concept of unfenced OLDAs looks appealing, but is not effective in practice. Portland is moving away from this approach.
- Road rights-of-way are good buffers between OLDAs and residential uses, without an adequate buffer.
- It is impossible to keep a grass ground cover in a heavily-used OLDA. Start with a good sand surface and maintain it.
- A 4'- high perimeter fence is adequate for an OLDA.
- On-site restroom facilities and potable water are desirable but not imperative.
- A cadre of volunteers is needed to assist with OLDA maintenance, monitoring, education and to encourage positive user behavior and pet etiquette.
What We Propose:
PRAC Recommendations
Based on what we have learned, the recommendations of the citizen advisory group and public testimony heard during the December 17, 2012 special PRAC public meeting, PRAC makes the following recommendations to City Council for its consideration:
Recommendation 1
PRAC recommends that Olympia initiate phased development of multiple off-leash dog areas. Developing OLDAs in several areas of town will help distribute the demand and make dog parks more accessible to residents. If conveniently located, many users will choose to walk to the OLDA rather than drive. PRAC recommends that OLDAs be provided in the central, northeast, southeast, and west areas of town, but not limited to the following locations:
Westside:
Authorize OPARD staff to pursue a lease agreement and develop an interim OLDA at one of the following sites (in priority order):
1. The Church of Living Water site adjacent to Hwy. 101
2. The Westbrook Investments LLC site on Cooper Point Rd.
3. The Mc Lane Elementary School site on Delphi Rd.
4. The Evergreen State College site off of Fireweed Rd.
Central: Steven's Field
Integrate a small OLDA into the unused NE portion of the park, behind the existing tennis courts. Explore parking options at both the existing parking area and off the end of Adams Street.
Northeast: Priest Point Park
Integrate a small OLDA into the extreme northern portion of the park on the SW corner of the intersection of East Bay Drive and Flora Vista Lane. Utilize the existing 10-space gravel parking area to serve this facility.
Southeast: Kettle View Park
Construct a small OLDA in the area originally envisioned for a basketball court and a "beginner skate node".
Recommendation 2
PRAC recommends the City construct a westside off-leash dog area first. Council's direction to staff was to find a replacement for the Sunrise Park OLDA. Due to their larger sizes, the potential westside sites will have the most capacity and pose the least impact on neighboring residential areas. Until additional OLDA sites are developed, this site will bear the brunt of city-wide use and must be sized appropriately. The target date for opening the new OLDA is May 31, 2013.
Recommendation 3
Direct staff to pursue establishment of small OLDAs at Priest Point, Kettle View and Governor Steven's Field parks, as resources allow. While this is a second priority, the property is currently owned or leased by the City and could be developed soon if scoping and public meetings are positive.
Recommendation 4
PRAC recommends that the Sunrise Park OLDA be closed Sunday through Wednesday, and open Thursday through Saturday. The park will permanently close May 31, 2013, unless a new dog park opens sooner. Note: The approach and timing of the Sunrise OLDA closure has been a contentious issue throughout this process. A minority report outlining different perspectives on this issue is attached.
Recommendation 5
Direct staff to begin negotiations with potential OLDA site landowners on the westside and initiate OLDA design and cost estimates. Any future lease will require Council approval. Prior to signing any lease, or initiating development at any site, staff will conduct a public process to inform and hear comment on the impacts and benefits of a new OLDA location.
Next Steps:
If Council approves Option 1 above, staff will move forward with the following:
· Staff will secure land appraisals where appropriate.
· Staff will prepare concept plans for the Westside parcels to use in meeting with landowners.
· City Manager will advise OPARD staff on how to proceed in negotiations with landowners.
· Parks and Legal staff will negotiate with the landowner.
· Staff will conduct a public meeting with neighbors and neighborhoods prior to bringing forward a lease for Council approval.
· Staff will bring forward to Council a lease proposal and site plan for approval.
· Staff will design and permit the project and construct the new facility as soon as possible.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Concerned Neighbors
Adjacent residents and dog owners are both patiently waiting for the City to acquire an interest in a site and construct a new facility. Recent measures taken to reduce the impact of the Sunrise Park off-leash dog area have been appreciated by the neighbors, but with a loss of use for dog owners. If approved, the proposed further reduction of days of operation of the Sunrise facility will further mitigate neighborhood impacts until the facility is closed.
Community Outreach
Two public input workshops were conducted to discuss the challenges presented by the existing Sunrise Park off-leash dog area. During these meetings, several hundred comments were received. Based upon this input, physical and operational changes were instituted at the Sunrise facility and a citizen advisory group was created to assist staff in the identification of a new off-leash dog park site.
Options:
1. Approve PRAC recommendations 1-5.
2. Do not approve PRAC recommendations 1-5.
3. Modify some or all PRAC recommendations.
Financial Impact:
Council approved $100,000 in Community Park Impact fee funding in the 2013-2018 Capital Facilities Plan (CFP) for leasing/purchasing a new temporary OLDA site and for constructing the facility. This is a placeholder sum since staff have not begun negotiations with the landowners or agreed upon future site improvements.