| | Published April 9th, 2014
| Spacious Dog Park Proposed on Deer Hill
| | | By Cathy Tyson |  | | View of the abandoned red house on Deer Hill Road where the Alternative Plan dog park could be located - if the revised Terraces project is approved. Photo Cathy Tyson |
Although "Alternative Plan" documents of the redesigned Terraces of Lafayette housing project are still being reviewed by the city, there has been some discussion about the size and location of the proposed dog park that was part of the amenity package for this new plan. Back in January, the City Council approved a Process Agreement that provides for an expedited review process of the smaller version of the "Terraces" which calls for 45 homes clustered together, compared to the original 315-unit plan, on the 22-acre parcel.
The unique alternative plan included a soccer field, tot lot, parking area and bicycle pathway, as well as a dog park. It was determined with input from Parks, Trails and Recreation and dog park representatives that the available space for the proposed dog park was too small, due to constraints from proposed homes and the popular sports field.
Several off-site locations were explored and all but one was dismissed. "There is a beautiful piece of property across the street from the project. It has large trees and a gently sloping area that dogs could easily play on," said project manager Dave Baker.
The developer of the proposed project, O'Brien Land Company, has negotiated with the owner of the potential dog park parcel, the Anna Maria Dettmer Trust, which is also the owner of the Terraces parcel; for an option on the 4-acre property. Drivers on Deer Hill Road can easily spot the alternate location of the proposed dog park by the abandoned red house on the site, just below the crest of the hill. Neighbors on either side were amenable as long as certain conditions were met.
The Parks, Trails and Recreation Commission has been researching the need and feasibility of creating a dog park in Lafayette since January of 2001. Guidelines were determined that year that spelled out the parameters of an appropriate dog park. Former Mayor Ivor Samson and his wife Sharon formed the Lafayette Dog Owners Group, or LDOG, during this process, officially organizing as a non-profit in 2007, and started an email list of dog park supporters. "At that time there were over 3,000 dogs licensed in Lafayette," said Sharon Samson. She explained that because the Terraces development is still in the planning process, "it would be premature for LDOG to begin fundraising until the project has moved further along in the regulatory process."
During the many year search, "It seemed like finding a suitable site was going to be very difficult, if not impossible, so you can imagine how surprised the PTR Commission and staff were when the 'Deerhill Park Development' (also known as the Terraces) included a dog park as one of the proposed park amenities," said Jennifer Russell, parks, trails and recreation director. "Unfortunately, the overall park space wasn't large enough to accommodate all of the new features which led to the developer proposing an area north of the proposed home sites. This area would include a dedicated parking lot for dog owners and a 1.5 acre area for the dogs to romp and play. The site also has stupendous views of Mount Diablo and the surrounding hills as well as a potential picnic site under a huge bay tree."
"The problem is that the new location, much larger size as well as having its own parking lot, made the park much more expensive than the original $100,000 allowance for the dog park. Consequently, we are offering just the bare bones," said Baker. "I believe we are very fortunate that there were so many parties willing to work toward a solution. Especially when you consider that various groups have been trying for over 10 years to get a dog park in Lafayette."
If the alternate dog park is approved, the Parks, Trails and Recreation department has pledged to work with local dog owners to raise funds for dog park amenities to create a unique destination for our local dogs and their owners, said Russell. The Lafayette Dog Owners Group can be reached at lafayettedog@gmail.com.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA