Commission Reviews Dog Park Issue
by Mitch Kronowit

I went to the Mission Viejo Community Services Commission meeting on January 15, where the "Dog Park" was discussed again. Approximately 15 residents stood at the podium and spoke to the Commission.

ALL were in favor of a dog park, and many points were raised:

1. 1.A dog park is also a place for residents to socialize.
2. The noise from most existing dog parks is far less than most sporting events (softball, soccer, etc.).
3. Most dog parks close after dark, so nobody's sleep is going to be disturbed.
4. A dog's good health and social behavior are dependent on proper exercise -exercise that can often only be achieved by letting the dog run free since a short walk around the block at a human pace is hardly adequate for most active dogs.
5. A dog park would positively impact all property values, as the facility would be considered a featured amenity to living in Mission Viejo.
6. Numerous calls to Animal Control reporting unleashed dogs in local parks
   indicate the demand for a dog park exists.
7. Ladera Ranch's Dog Park is a model to emulate and rarely has any of the
   problems highlighted by dog park opponents in Mission Viejo.
8. Not all homeowners have children, yet they all pay taxes for local schools and would like a dog park to serve their needs.
9. Building a dog park was No. 3 (after traffic and congestion) in the city's 2006 survey of community opinion.

There was also a small group of 10 or so who were specifically against the Animal Shelter location. Reasons for this were mainly lack of parking, too small an area, and its negative impact on shelter operations. Although not directly addressed, the Animal Shelter is also located too far south in the city to satisfy the "centrally located" criteria. The Commission voted unanimously (7 to 0) to remove the Animal Shelter as a proposed location.

Another vote was taken on the motion to reconvene the ad hoc Dog Park Committee and investigate the possibility of creating multiple "mini" dog parks throughout the city (thereby wasting more time). These would be smaller parks and serve the nearby neighborhoods. But Chairperson Ronald Ruef and Recreation and Community Services Director Kelly Doyle discussed the elevated cost of multiple parks, creating parking problems where none exist now, and the fact that all other cities have built one central dog park. The motion was defeated 4 to 3.

Finally, and most importantly, the Commission voted 4 to 3 to recommend the construction of a dog park at Oso Viejo to the City Council. Only one speaker opposed the Oso Viejo location, but he at least proposed another area, the city maintenance lot behind Curtis Park on La Paz. However, Mr. Doyle rejected the proposal saying the area is neither graded nor safe for public use and developing the site would cost millions (plural).