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MEMORANDUM March 17, 1992 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Douglas A. Post, Superintendent of Parks Services 1..b • SUBJECT: DOG OFF -LEASH PROGRAM EVALUATION /RECOMMENDATION EVALUATION BACKGROUND The dog off -leash program started August 31, 1991 at three sites in Eugene, Gilham Park, Candlelight Park and Morse Ranch Park. Since this was a new program, we decided to evaluate the overall program and the designated sites within a three to six month time period. The formal evaluation plan was presented and approved by you at your meeting on January 15, 1992. The evaluation was to include a questionnaire, a public hearing and a review of all other input Parks have received since the inception of the program. Parks staff agreed to prepare a recommendation for you to consider at your meeting on March 18, 1992. The Commission would then make a recommendation to the Parks and Recreation Executive Director for a final decision. The evaluation plan was amended following the public hearing on February 13, 1992 to direct staff to present and discuss their recommendations or options with the various groups for their reactions and feedback before your meeting on March 18, 1992. The groups identified were the Morse Ranch Dog Off -Leash Association, Crest Drive Neighborhood Association, Amazon Neighbors, the immediate neighbors and the Wayne Morse Historical Park Corporation. The purpose of the evaluation was to identify any issues critical in determin- ing whether to continue, discontinue or modify the off -leash program. Parks received 424 returned questionnaires, had approximately 50 persons testify at a public hearing and has received numerous letters, phone calls and several petitions pertaining to this program. Approximately 85% of the questionnaire respondents indicated the City should continue the off -leash program and 78% indicated the City should designate other dog off -leash park sites. These questionnaire results are consistent with the feedback received since the outset of the program. The Morse Ranch site generated substantially more interest and feedback than the other two sites combined; 93% of the questionnaire respondents indicated they had used or are using the Morse Ranch site; 25% have or are using the park almost daily, 43% two to three times per week and 32% less than four 87% times a month. 87% favored continuing the program at Candlelight Park, 87/ at Gilham Park, and 76% at the Morse Ranch site. (See Exhibit C)