03-19-2012 Off Leash Areas Presentation Off Leash Dog Areas
Town Council Meeting
March 19, 2012
1
Background
14 Parks in Los Gatos
Dogs allowed in all parks; on leash at all times
Los Gatos Creek County Park
Town contributed funds to construction of this off leash dog park
2
Off Leash History
2009 Parks Commission Vote
Did not support an off-leash area pilot program
Unofficial Off Leash Use Areas
Increasing over the last two years
Primarily focused in 3-4 parks
3
History (Cont.)
Town Council Direction
February 6, 2012: Directed staff to bring topic to Council in March
Parks Commission
February 7, 2012: Recommended staff develop a proposal for off-leash use
4
Other Local Programs
Local Off Leash Areas
City of San Carlos (Pilot)
City of Burlingame
City of San Mateo
City of Santa Cruz
Feedback from other cities
Fenced implementations concentrate turf damage
Unfenced
allows for more flexibility
5
Community Process
Staff Recommends Following Established Community Process
Community meeting to present proposal and gain consensus from the neighborhood and park users
Adjacent Neighborhoods and User
Groups will be notified
Meeting notices would be posted in parks and mailed to neighbors adjacent to proposed parks
6
Proposal Guidelines
Select Parks
Bachman, Live Oak Manor, and La Rinconada
Limited Hours or Days
Selected morning and/or evening hours
Limited days or rotating schedule
Self Enforcement
Posted rules
Utilize
existing licensing programs
7
Timeline
March 19, 2012 – Status report to Council
Mid-April – Conduct Community Meeting inviting user-groups/neighbors
Mid-May – Special Parks Commission Meeting to consider staff recommendations
June
4, 2012 – Staff report to Council with a recommended implementation plan
8
Recommendation
Accept staff report on the status of potential dog off-leash areas in Town Parks.
Direct staff to evaluate options for a dog off-leash pilot program and conduct a public input process.
Direct
staff to provide an implementation plan for a dog off-leash pilot program to Council no later than June 4, 2012.
9