Canine Commons Dog Park City Council Meeting October 2, 2013 Larkspur Park & Rec Department & Public Works Department

More than two years were spent processing with the regulatory agencies listed below for Environmental Approvals associated with the Bon Air Bridge reconstruction. These regulatory agencies involved: Army Corps of Engineers Regional Water Quality Control Board US Dept of Fish & Wildlife CA Dept of Fish & Wildlife Bay Conservation & Development Commission No acceptable wetland restoration opportunities within the Corte Madera Creek watershed were identified What has directed the City to Commit restoring the Dog Park area to Wetland Habitat?

Area is identified as prime habitat area for Clapper Rail and Salt Water Marsh Mouse Meets the Mitigation criteria for the Bon Air Bridge and will also provide for required mitigation for the City Strom Drain Outfall Maintenance requirements Piper Park Master Plan identifies deficiencies in the existing Dog Park We have an Opportunity through the Bridge Grant to restore habitat and restore the Dog Park area to a Passive Use area, add interpretive signage and improve the Dog Park Why Move the Existing Dog Park?

Public Outreach and Input Workshops were held on August 8 & Sept 11 Website was developed Staff met, spoke and ed with numerous residents and users of the existing Dog Park Staff contacted and discussed the potential Dog Park relocation in Piper Park with other Piper Park users Presentations were made at public meetings, September 19 th Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting and at tonight’s Larkspur City Council Public Meeting

What considerations were made in choosing potential sites? Where does the City own property that could be used for a Dog Park? Size Conflicting Uses Parking & Accessibility Connectivity to trails/Public Walkways Environmental Constraints Where does the City own property that could be used for a Dog Park? Size Conflicting Uses Parking & Accessibility Connectivity to trails/Public Walkways Environmental Constraints What is the Public’s Input on the possible locations? Is there Shade & Water? Can the proposed site be reasonably maintained?

What sites were considered? The initial Workshop and outreach results encouraged Staff to discontinue efforts investigating Niven Park as an alternative and to further review Piper Park alternatives as well questioning “Is a Dog Park in Larkspur necessary?” The initial Workshop and outreach results encouraged Staff to discontinue efforts investigating Niven Park as an alternative and to further review Piper Park alternatives as well questioning “Is a Dog Park in Larkspur necessary?” Niven Park Piper Park North Piper Park South Niven Park Piper Park North Piper Park South

Genesis of the Canine Commons Dog Park 1970’s Awareness of the need for dog parks in communities Discussions for building a dog park in Larkspur 1990 Original dog park built at Piper Park 2006 Refurbishment of original dog park 2011 Piper Park Master Plan identifies continued interest for dog park and desire for improvements & expansion

Two Alternate Locations at Piper Park Existing Dog Park Proposed Site 1 Proposed Site 2

Proposed Site 1 North End of Piper Park Proposed Site 1 North End of Piper Park

Proposed Site 1 North End of Piper Park Proposed Site 1 North End of Piper Park Pros: Area is away from other uses Dog Users currently use this area to run their dogs Area can be configured to accommodate the Dog Park Cons: Area is frequented regularly by park visitors who enjoy the Marsh and serenity of the end of Piper Park Area is far from the parking area making it difficult for senior users Area is far from the restroom facility Location was not identified as the preferred alternative

Proposed Site 2 South End of Piper Park Proposed Site 2 South End of Piper Park

Pros: Area is near parking and easily accessible for seniors Area can be configured to accommodate the Dog Park Area is visible to Doherty Drive Area is rarely used by other park users Area is close to the restroom facility Location was preferred by multiple users of Piper Park Cons: Location is closer to multiple active areas Proposed Site 2 South End of Piper Park Proposed Site 2 South End of Piper Park

People are used to Piper Park as the Dog Park location The current Dog Park is hard to find and feels unsafe being hidden away from the main parking area Current Dog Park needs redesign Piper Park South Location is along Doherty Drive providing visibility Piper Park North location is very serene and many people enjoy the peacefulness of the area Piper Park South location does not have the serenity of the north location What considerations were made in choosing potential sites?

The restoration of the current Dog Park to Wetlands is beneficial to habitat and provides for a better passive space alternative to the Doherty frontage Many seniors use the existing Dog Park and the South location provides a better access for them, even better than the existing park location The Community supported relocation of the Dog Park verses elimination of the Dog Park Supporters of Passive Space in Piper Park expressed concern for passive space protection but also stated that the south location is not the best passive space in the park Parks & Recreation Commission recommended Piper Park South for the new Dog Park Location with the caveat that design criteria be reviewed by the Commission at a later date. Results from Community Outreach regarding Piper Park Alternatives

1) City Council directs Staff on proceeding with design and relocation of the Dog Park 2) Staff holds a Design Input Workshops for the Public and their Furry Friends to provide input on features for the new Dog Park 3) Staff completes design and permitting for the construction 4) Parks & Recreation Commission and City Council approve the design 5) Build it! Next Steps