City to evaluate off-leash proposal[/caption]In March, the city of Austin Parks and Recreation Department began seeking public input on a citizen-led effort to bring a fenced-off, off-leash dog area to Southwest Austin.
The proposal dates back to September, when a group of dog owners in Southwest Austin used social media to begin a grass-roots movement for building an off-leash dog area within the 576-acre Circle C Ranch Metropolitan Park.
The Supporters of SW Austin Dog Parks group proposed the off-leash area in Circle C after observing few pet amenities in the Southwest Austin area, said Michelle Felger, a group member and Circle C resident. The only off-leash dog park south of Ben White Boulevard and west of I-35 is an off-leash trail at Mary Moore Searight Metropolitan Park, located at 907 Slaughter Lane.
Felger added that the intent of the park is not to create it for Circle C residents, but for all residents of Southwest Austin.
“The proposal became a coalescing of a whole bunch of ideas: ‘I want a place nearby to take my dog’; ‘it would be nice to meet my neighbors’; ‘the park can give my dog exercise’; and ‘there simply isn’t a dog park,’” Felger said.
Although support is evident, the discussion during the March 1 parks department public workshop highlighted several hurdles that could impede the build-out of the dog park such as funding, parking, its exact location and parks prioritization.
To build a park
Two main concerns were mentioned during the March 1 meeting: parking and cost. Circle C residents at the meeting said parking on Escarpment Boulevard would not be an option because of the traffic.
Multiple residents asked D’Anne Williams, a parks department landscape architect, what the cost could be, but she said she did not have a cost estimate because of the remaining work yet to be done for the project.
Conceptual designs and cost estimates are to be revealed at a second public workshop at a time and date to be determined, D’Anne Williams said. Parking space for the park will be under consideration, she said.
After a third public workshop with a presentation of a final design concept, if opposition has not stopped the project, the concept will be reviewed by the parks department board, D’Anne Williams said.
The department will then assess various ways to fund the park, such as through partnerships, bonds or parkland dedication money, she said. Then construction contractor selection will follow.
“It’s difficult to get a timeline on this, especially without funding,” D’Anne Williams said. “If we have funding, then we can set a goal.”
Felger said she is pleased with how far along in the process the project is.
“There is a need for it, so we shall see where it goes,” Felger said. “Fingers are crossed because nobody has said no yet.”
District 8 City Council Member Ellen Troxclair said when the department evaluates moving forward on the project, it will need to examine several factors, including demand, cost and benefits.
“There are a lot of park needs in the city, and it’s just a matter of prioritizing,” Troxclair said. “The parks department will have to evaluate. I’m sure this project will be added to their list of potential projects.”
District 8 covers part of Southwest Austin.
Benefits of off-leash areas
The parks department presented more benefits March 1 of off-leash areas, including fostering the relationship between dog and owner, providing a legal way to expand exercise for dogs and owners, and providing an opportunity to educate citizens about healthy dog behavior.
Aaron Martinez, a Southwest Austinite who visits Searight’s off-leash trail daily, says he prefers off-leash areas because they allow him to not have to pull on a leash and be restrictive to his dog.
“She can run around, sniff, chase after things and jump around, and get more exercise than if I was just walking with her on a leash,” Martinez said. “Also, she can occasionally play with another dog for five to 10 minutes.”
Jared Williams, a Southwest Austinite who also brings his dog to Searight, said off-leash areas separate dogs from people who do not like them.
“If you’re trying to train your dog, it is much easier in an off-leash area, as long as they’re controlled,” Jared Williams said.
Felger said there is growing frustration in the Circle C neighborhood with those who are taking their dogs off-leash.
“My dog loves to run, and there is nothing better than seeing her taking off sprinting,” Felger said. “But, I also understand that people don’t want a dog running up to their 5-year-old child walking on the same trail.”
Austin’s leash ordinance requires a dog to be on a leash on all city of Austin land, unless a pet is inside an off-leash area. In off-leash areas, dogs must stay within sight of owners, and aggressive dogs must be removed.
There are 12 off-leash dog parks in Austin; two are fenced off, and the rest are open space or a trail, according to the parks department.
During the March 1 public workshop, D’Anne Williams said the Parks and Recreations Department gets requests “fairly often” for off-leash areas, but usually there are as many people in opposition to a project as there are in favor.
She added that there have been two off-leash projects in Austin that were in progress but eventually got canceled after opposition had strong arguments for doing so.
“Dogs are a very passionate issue for most people,” D’Anne Williams said. “I hate to say, it’s similar to politics.”
