At its February 17, 2017 meeting, the Neighborhoods/Community Affairs Committee brought back an item for discussion related to finding an additional designated dog area in North Beach and to discuss the results of the community outreach by the Communications and Public Works Departments to determine the desire for such an area in the neighborhood.  The community outreach information attached, showed that a significant number of respondents were in favor of creating a dog area in the neighborhood.  The area that was chosen as a potential site for the new dog area is a 5,000 square foot piece of existing greenspace at the intersection of Rue Vendome, Biarritz Dr., and Brest Esplanade.  However, the Committee clarified that the greenspace area, which currently consists of grass and Oak Trees, was not to be designated as a dog park, rather an area to be utilized by all, with the same operating hours as a park.

Public Works noted that there was a shortage of right-of-way space for the infrastructure needed in the City, but offered no objection to the use of the space as a dog area in the interim until an immediate infrastructure need arises for the parcel. 

The Committee discussed the idea of having a fence built into this space, as well as having a doggie bag dispenser installed.  A motion was made to have the estimated costs programmed into the upcoming years’ budget and/or to bring it back to the full Commission to request additional funds as needed.  Based on our assessment of the current site conditions, the cost can range from $15,000 for a simple fence and a doggie bag dispenser, to $50,000 which would include an automatic irrigation system, two St. Augustine sod installations per year to replace worn turf grass, and the associated dog park amenities.  The Department suggests that the improvements if approved begin with a modest installation covered by the operating budget.