Dog park controversial in Normal Heights

An August 26 email from District 3 councilman Todd Gloria's office to the Normal Heights Community Association provided an update on the plans for an interim off-leash dog park at Ward Canyon Neighborhood Park.

A “Project Notification Bulletin” has been sent to neighboring properties and there will be an official "Public Meeting to Discuss the Proposed Improvements for [Ward Canyon Neighborhood Park],” according to Adriana Martinez, Gloria's Normal Heights liaison. The meeting will be held on September 22 at 7:00 p.m. at the Adams Recreation Center (3491 Adams Avenue), and a precise diagram of the proposed off-leash area will be available at that time.

As noted in the Reader of May 16, 2015, an off-leash dog park — even an interim one — is somewhat controversial, but the Parks and Recreation Department has identified $22,000 to fund this project, which could begin construction this fall and open to the public, and their dogs, by year's end.

The Normal Heights Community Planning Group, at their September 1 meeting, unanimously approved the proposed interim dog park but added that it shouldn’t be located next to residences unless there is sound buffering, bench seating should be provided, a water source is crucial, and fencing should be at a height of four feet.