PORT ANGELES — If the City Council approves, and volunteers step up with financing and donated work, Port Angeles could have its first off-leash dog park soon.
Deputy Recreation Director Richard Bonine said after a public meeting on the topic Wednesday that he is ready to make that happen at Charles R. Willson Park after receiving more positive response to the idea than opposition to it.
“After today, I’m feeling pretty good,” he said.
Wednesday’s meeting took place at the park, located at 511 W. Seventh St., and was attended by 18 people and two dogs.
Bonine said he will bring the idea to the City Council at its July 21 meeting, at 6 p.m. at 321 E. Fifth St.
If the council members don’t object, he said the next step will be to “get it done.”
He said he has heard from about 25 people in support of creating an off-leash dog area at the park and from three who are against it.
No money
But Bonine also told the group, made up almost entirely of supporters of the idea, that it can’t be done without their help.
“We’ve got no budget for this at all,” he said.
Funds would have to be raised, and the park would have to be maintained by volunteers, Bonine said.
Financial support has already come from two daughters of Charles Willson who have pledged $1,000.
“My dad loved all animals,” said Paulettee Willson, 64.
“If it keeps the park used, then I think it’s critical.”
Paulette Willson said her father was a former City Council member and Olympic Medical Center commissioner. He died in 1983 at the age of 63.
This is the third time a dog park has been proposed in Port Angeles in the last decade.
A group calling itself the Port Angeles Dog Park Committee sought a dog park at Lincoln Park in 2003, but nothing came of the proposal.
Another group of dog lovers made the same proposal a few years ago, but it fell through last year because of a lack of financing.
Bonine said an off-leash dog area at the park would likely consist of separate areas for small and large dogs.
That would involve running another fence across the park from north to south where the backstop stands and adding two new entrances for the canines.
Bonine said he doesn’t know how much the improvements will cost.
“I have not crossed that bridge,” he said.
A water spout also would be created for the dogs, Bonine said.
Water lines do run to the park, but they have been disconnected since 1995.
Slide, swing set
The park’s slide, swing set and picnic table would remain, although the small ball field and basketball court would likely be removed.
Removal of the basketball hoop is a concern for nearby resident and dog owner, Marg Bennett.
Bennett, 62, told Bonine that it is frequently used by teenagers in the area.
“I’d hate to see that go away,” she said.
Bonine said it could be possible to move the hoop to the other side of the park, which would remain separate from the off-leash dog area, or relocate it to Elks Playfield at 14th and Cedar streets.
The ball field, which essentially consists of a backstop and three bases, appears to be rarely used, he said, if at all. Bonine didn’t mention if the ball field would be replaced.
“We will see if all the concerns can be resolved,” he said.
“We don’t want to take away any kids’ activities.”
Another concern Bonine has heard is that a dog park would depress property values.
Needs sponsors
To maintain an off-leash dog area, Bonine said the park would need to be sponsored by a group of residents.
“We need a volunteer schedule,” he said.
The city has about eight neighborhood parks with sponsors since it established a sponsorship program earlier this year.
But when it comes to enforcing any rules, such as picking up dog droppings, Bonine said that would be up to the users.
“It’s a gentlemen’s sport,” he said.
“It won’t be a problem, I think.”
A dog park in Port Angeles would be Clallam County’s second.
Sequim dog park
The only park of its kind in the county has been located at Sequim’s Carrie Blake Park since April 2007.
Port Angeles resident John Ford said the dog park there has been a success.
He came with his 8-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback to show support for creating a dog park in Port Angeles.
“It’s good for the dogs; it’s good for us to socialize,” Ford said.
He said he would be happy to volunteer time to maintain a dog park.
City Council member Don Perry, who was at the meeting, said he has heard from a quite a few people who would do the same.
“That’s Port Angeles,” he said. “That’s the way Port Angeles people are.”
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
