Dog Owners, City Meet to Discuss Dog Park Maintenance

Community happens anywhere people find that they have a common experience that brings them together.  Recently, the dog park community, those who frequent the fenced-in, off leash area at the far west end of Community Park, met with representatives of the Parks and Community Services Department to discuss the upkeep of the K9 play area.

A group of about a dozen dog park regulars met with Mike Dotson, Assistant Director of the Parks and Community Services Department, and Rick Night, Superintendent of Parks & Buildings.  The meeting was informal, in the middle of the Phenix Dog Park itself, amidst frolicking dogs of all sizes. 

Many of the concerns raised during the group discussion, partially led by Gretchen Burgess of BeniciaDogs.com, were about drainage issues within the dog park.  The very wet winter frequently left pools of water around trees and benches resulting in as many as eight dogs contracting Giardiasis, a waterborne parasite, according to one dog owner.

Other issues brought up were a lack of dog waste receptacle (poop bag) dispensers, poor signage about dog park rules, re-turfing, exposed rocks in the dog play area, and the possibility of creating an ordinance that makes bringing un-neutered dogs into the play area against the law and subject to a fine.

Dotson and Knight took notes and discussed solutions with the entire group.

“We are more than happy to help and volunteer our time,” Burgess said, her comment accompanied by many nodding heads.

“The toughest thing is closing the park long enough to do the work and still keep you guys happy.” Knight replied.

As the discussion came to a close it seemed many of the issues would be resolved.  The City will re-post the Dog Park sign in a more visible area and install additional poop bag dispensers. Dog Park regulars agreed to set aside a Rock Weekend to collect rocks exposed by annual erosion.  Dotson and Knight said they would look into options to address the water issue and would also look for funding to re-turf in the fall, one half at a time to avoid closing the entire play area.

When asked if there was anything else the City could do, one dog owner facetiously

piped in, “Can we have a cappuccino cart?”

“I knew that was coming,” Knight said.