Possible Dog Park Locations Down to One
Updated 4/22 to include link to PowerPoint presentation.
The dog park ad hoc committee announced at their first Town Hall meeting April 19 that they have eliminated all the possible sites for an Oakmont Dog park except the expansive undeveloped land off Stone Bridge Rd.
“We’d like to see a dog park three-fourths to one acre in size,” said ad hoc Chair, Paula Lewis, as she stood before a projected map of Oakmont. “This area, across from the Community Garden,” she said, her laser pen highlighting the hilly area surrounding the Par Course. “Here, we have identified three potential sites appropriate for a dog park.”
Chase, an Oakmont dog, enjoys the Rincon Valley Dog Park
The committees considered 15 sites; most were eliminated due to parking and traffic issues and access difficulties. Two locations across Highway 12 were mentioned — land owned by the wine crushing operation and a vacant field, near the juvenile detention facility owned by the county. However, neither site appeared to have been seriously considered.
The Town Hall was well attended, estimated size: slightly over 200. Most in the audience appeared in favor of building a dog park. But a small group of homeowners who live near the proposed location questioned the wisdom of building a dog park off Stone Bridge.
Warren Wolfe, who said he had recently purchased a home a few houses from the proposed sites said, “I would not have bought the home if a dog park were there. If it is built our property values will suffer.” Wolfe also was concerned about disease-causing contaminants produced by K-9 poop.
But the homeowner who appeared to draw the most attention was a slight woman who spoke slowly but firmly. “I know you all love your dogs,” said Marla Rochedieu, turning to the crowd. “That’s good. I love my cat. But the concerns of homeowners and neighbors must have priority over our pets.” She politely admonished the committee for not speaking first to the residents of Stone Bridge and Silver Creek. “We shouldn’t have to come to a Town Hall to voice our concerns. We should have been the first people you talk to – we are the ones who will be most impacted by a dog park in the land off Stone Bridge. That area should be left as it – open land.”
As is typical with Town Halls, so much time was taken up by the power point presentation that little time was left for the committee to respond to questions or concerns. Lewis said the committee will address some of the issues raised at a second Town Hall scheduled for 4 p.m. May 18.
Ad-hoc committee meetings are required to be open to the community. The committee asks that any resident who plans to attend a meeting please inform a committee member beforehand.
Click HERE for ad-hoc presentation.
I hope that whatever site is chosen, it is flat. It’s important that dog owners pick up after their pets and I would not be able to walk up a very big incline to scoop. After a certain age, I think this would be an important factor for the committee as well as people who like to socialize with their dogs at a dog park.
Patty – the location proposed for a dog park is not FLAT – it is the hilly area across from the community gardens. Take a drive down Stone Bridge to see for yourself the open space they are considering.
Patty,
Here is the link to the maps from the Town Hall PowerPoint presentation: Oakmont Dog Park
The dog park ad hoc committee is to be congratulated for all the research done in connection with finding a dog park location in Oakmont, and a professionally prepared power point presentation, explaining both purpose and results of their work to the community.
Someone stated it would increase property values in Oakmont — surely not for the people who live on Stone Bridge! I cannot believe it is being considered to take that property for a dog park. It is one of the few naturally beautiful areas left here, enjoyed by many who walk the trail etc. There are other areas that could work better than ruining this hill area. Would everyone please consider– would you want it on your street?
In San Francisco, I lived near Pine Lake Park. The meadow there has long been a dog park. Expensive homes line the hillsides above the park. I have never heard any complaints by the owners. Maybe they are happy to have a dog park so close by. I know we were. It was a lovely walk down into the grove and great fun to see all the dogs playing happily on the meadow. Many dog owners along Stonebridge will be happy to have a dog park so close by.
OO is planning on another article about the Dog Park proposal – to be published before the next Town Hall. It would appear the scope and complexity of what the ad-hoc committee is planning at Stone Bridge might well rival or surpass the CAC/Pickleball project.