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April 9, 1993 <br /> TO: City Council <br /> FROM: Christine Andersen, Director of Public Works <br /> SUBJECT: Dog Off -Leash Program Update <br /> The dog off -leash program was implemented on a six month trial basis at Morse <br /> Ranch, Candlelight, and Gilham parks on August 31, 1991. Morse Ranch Park is <br /> a developed park with the dog off -leash program being restricted to the unde- <br /> veloped east pasture. Candlelight and Gilham are undeveloped parcels which <br /> were speculatively acquired by the city prior to the heavy residential devel- <br /> opment which has occurred in those areas. These "land banked" parcels were <br /> intended to be used as possible future park sites or used in trade if street <br /> locations and residential subdivision development indicate other property <br /> better serves the neighborhood need for a park site. <br /> Based on citizen input and recommendations from the Parks and Recreation <br /> Commission, PARCS Executive Director Bob Schutz elected to end the trial <br /> implementation of the dog off -leash program and continue the activity as an <br /> on -going program on March 26, 1992. At this time the program was expanded <br /> to include areas within Amazon and Alton Baker parks. Gilham and Candlelight <br /> are open fields while the other three are enclosed by fencing. <br /> Citizen comment received regarding this program has been overwhelmingly pos- <br /> itive. The average daily use of the off -leash areas are estimated at 0 -5 per <br /> day for Gilham, and Candlelight parks, 6 -15 per day for Alton Baker Park, and <br /> 16+ per day for Amazon and Morse Ranch parks. The most intense usage report- <br /> ed by area residents has ranged from 40 -50 per day in good weather at Morse <br /> Ranch Park and 50+ per day at Amazon Park. <br /> GILHAM PARK TRADE <br /> The dog off -leash program at Gilham Park is expected to be relocated within <br /> the next year. Staff is in the process of completing negotiations with a <br /> neighboring developer to trade the undeveloped Gilham site for land within a <br /> proposed subdivision which is located close to the site identified for a <br /> neighborhood park in the Willakenzie refinement plan. The dog off -leash <br /> program is expected to be moved to this new site once the current negotia- <br /> tions are completed and subdivision development begins. <br /> MORSE RANCH PARK ISSUES <br /> Morse Ranch Park continues to be the only dog off -leash area for which com- <br /> plaints are received. Over the past year several steps have been taken to <br /> mitigate anticipated problems or concerns voiced by park neighbors. The <br />