08 Staff Report - Off-Leash Dog Park~pW N p~
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
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DATE: NOVEMBER 1, 2005
MEETING DATE: 11/7/05
ITEM NO. S
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: DEBRA J. FIGONE, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: ACCEPT INFORMATIONAL REPORT CONCERNING THE STATUS OF
THE LOS GATOS CREEK OFF-LEASH DOG PARK
RECOMMENDATION:
Accept informational report concerning the status of the Los Gatos Creek Off-Leash Dog Park.
BACKGROUND:
Requests by citizens of Los Gatos and neighboring communities to have an off-leash dog parkin Los
Gatos have been received over the past few years, especially with the construction of new off-leash
dog parks in neighboring cities. Residents with dogs drive to San Jose and Palo Alto where off-leash
dog parks are available. The Town's Parks Commission was unable to locate a suitable off-leash dog
park site, one that would not negatively impact a neighborhood or business area.
There are over 770 registered dogs in the Town of Los Gatos. Town Ordinance requires dogs be
leashed at all times when in public areas, including parks and trails. Dogs are not allowed on either
of the Town's baseball fields, as well as the local schools' athletic fields due to maintenance issues.
The City of Campbell approached Los Gatos in 2004 requesting funding assistance to construct an
off-leash dog park alongside Los Gatos Creek Trail near the borders ofLos Gatos and Campbell. The
location has many benefits, as it is far from neighborhoods yet within close proximity to major
roadways and trail systems and as such, there are no negative impacts to residents or businesses.
This joint project includes the City of Campbell who is building the site and the County of Santa
Clara who owns the land and will maintain it. In FY 2004-05, Council allocated $25,000 in
Proposition 12 Park Grant funds to this project.
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PREPARED BY: OHN E. CURTIS PAMELA JACOBS
irector of Parks and Public Works Assistant Town Manager
Reviewed by: V`_ Assistant Town Manager VWAttorney Cl
Community Development Revised: 1111105 11:53 am
Reformatted: 5/30/02 N:\B&E\COUNCIL REPORTS\11-7-05 Dog Park Status Report.wpd
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: STATUS OF LOS GATOS CREEK DOG PARK
NOVEMBER 1, 2005
DISCUSSION:
At the May 16, 2005 Council meeting during the CIP discussion of the budget report, staff informed
Council that Proposition 12 grant funding was unavailable for this project due to jurisdictional
issues. Council authorized $25,000 in General Funds to this project. It was also reported that this
project's estimated construction period would occur from July to November, 2005.
This project is on schedule and construction is nearly completed, including the installation of
concrete pathways (with paw prints), separate fenced areas for small and large dogs and water
fountains with pet fountains. Additional features to be installed during November include benches,
shade structures, landscaping and signs.
The dog park's location is inside a small park area alongside the Los Gatos Creek Trail. There are
two access points: one is by entering the Los Gatos Creek Trail County Park parking lot at 1250 Dell
Avenue, Campbell, and walking northward several hundred feet along the creek trail past the fly
casting ponds, the other is by parking on SunnyOaks near San Thomas Expressway and walking east
on the sidewalk to the gate entrance. The dogpark is just south of San Thomas Expressway. Since
the Los Gatos Creek Trail follows Los Gatos Creek from Los Gatos to San Jose, dog owners could
also use other trail access points from the north or south and walk along the trail to the dogpark.
According to City of Campbell Engineers, Campbell has received numerous phone calls from Los
Gatos residents inquiring when the park will open, indicating many Los Gatos dog owners plan to
use the new park. The dog park is anticipated to open in December, with a Grand Opening Ceremony
scheduled for Saturday, December Yd at Ipm.
CONCLUSION:
Many of the Town's residents have indicated an interest in using this park for their dogs. The new
off-leash dog park will provide Los Gatos dog owners with an off-leash dog facility much closer to
home: their driving distance to an off-leash facility will be considerably shorter.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
Is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
FISCAL IMPACT:.
Council authorized $25,000 in General Funds onMay,17, 2005 for FY 2005/06. Payment of $25,000
is being processed, the Rill amount authorized and dedicated to this project.
Attachments:
Los Gatos Creek Off--Leash Dog Facility Concept Site Plan.
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