Council members direct city staff to look at specific ideas
The Hollister Dog Owners Group was formed in the summer of 2008
with one goal in mind
– to create an off-leash dog park in San Benito County. HDOG has
been working with parks and recreation staff and meeting with the
Hollister Parks and Recreation commissioners for months. On the
recommendation of the commissioners, Clay Lee, the Community
Services director, made a report to the Ho
llister City Council Monday recommending a location for an
off-leash dog park in the city.
Council members direct city staff to look at specific ideas
The Hollister Dog Owners Group was formed in the summer of 2008 with one goal in mind – to create an off-leash dog park in San Benito County. HDOG has been working with parks and recreation staff and meeting with the Hollister Parks and Recreation commissioners for months. On the recommendation of the commissioners, Clay Lee, the Community Services director, made a report to the Hollister City Council Monday recommending a location for an off-leash dog park in the city.
The staff recommended the city council receive a report and presentation on the development of an off-leash dog park, take public input and give direction to staff to begin planning and designing the transition of the Airport Park to an off-leash dog park.
“[The city council] gave the direction to move forward with doing some more specific planning and generally approved of that location,” Lee said. “The resolution will go back at a later time to firm up the budget numbers.”
City staff and the commissioners reviewed 10 possible locations to see if they met the needs set forth by HDOG – a two- to three-acre area, adequate parking and vehicle access, water and a space for a fence.
Staff, the commission and HDOG all agree that the best place for a dog park in the city would be the Airport Park on Fallon Road.
“I was thrilled with the way the meeting went,” said Tammy Ballew, a member of HDOG. “I think the council’s main issue is money.”
The estimated cost for the park improvements is $32,000 – included $10,000 for fencings, $20,000 for parking area improvements and $2,000 for dog park amenities.
Though the city has $57,000 in Park Development Funds, a staff report to the city council said that the money may be needed for other improvements in the park system. HDOG members have indicated that they would be willing to fundraise to help with the cost of the project. The amenities include a watering area and bag dispensers for owners to clean up after their dogs.
Ballew mentioned that as a nonprofit, HDOG may be able to get some materials and labor donated.
“As time goes on we can certainly do other improvements,” Lee said,” But at least initially that is what we estimate it will take to get us going.”
One of those things that came out of the Monday night meeting was the realization that the county parks master plan calls for a dog park facility.
“The county parks and recreation [commission] is possibly interested in looking at a partnership,” Lee said. “We will be in touch and see.”
Lee said that the council members generally appeared supportive, but did have questions about the costs.
“HDOG is trying to do some fundraising,” Lee said. “They just had their Dog Days [fundraiser] this weekend. They also have labor from their members and their group could help with installing various things or doing some maintenance.”
