SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento City Councilmembers are planning to chose William Land Park as the location for a much-debated off-leash dog park in the Curtis Park area.
Neighbors in favor of a permanent off-leash dog park frequently cited the Sierra 2 Green park as the preferred location, while those in opposition said the Sierra 2 Green was too small for a dog park and presented a danger to children.
City officials recently released the results of a summer survey asking neighbors which location they would prefer for a permanent off-leash dog park—with both William Land Park and the Sierra 2 Green as options.
According to the survey, Sierra 2 Green received a majority of the votes, though Department of Youth, Parks and Community Enrichment (YPCE) officials chose a two-acre patch of land in William Land Park between 19th Street and Freeport Boulevard.
"The city last week after several community surveys that indicated a lot of support, a majority of support for the park as a continued area to exercise dogs, they're actually going to be closing it and replacing it with an option in Land Park that doesn't work for the residents of the neighborhood," Curtis Park resident Madelyn Gelpi told ABC10.
YPCE staff said William Land Park was picked as the planned site because dog parks must be at least 1.5 acres and are typically within community or regional parks.
The temporary off-leash dog park at the Sierra 2 Green was only about three-fourths of an acre, but Gelpi said dog owners enjoyed the area because it was walking-distance for most Curtis Park neighbors.
Many residents in the neighborhood have mobility issues, she said.
"Quite frankly, (out of the) Land Park options, the closest one, we've clocked it—it's 50 minute walk to get to on busy roads. That is not within the rim of walkability. Walkability is generally defined by something you get to in 10 or 15 minutes," said Curtis Park resident Trish Davey.
Supporters of the Sierra 2 Green as a permanent off-leash dog park say they plan on attending Tuesday's City Council meeting to ask for other options to be considered.
But residents in Land Park like Victoria Samarripa said she likes the idea of a permanent off-leash dog park in her neighborhood.
"There's a lack of dog parks in our neighborhood and I live nearby. I'm in the park every day, and I would just love to see a place where dogs can be off-leash safely," she said.
City officials say they hope to spend $200,000 on researching the William Land Park site before launching a pilot program.
