Dog park at Hayward Park

Recapped seven months of work on the dog park effort: Hayward emerged as the preferred site, funding is in hand, a pedestrian survey showed heavy dog traffic, and no deed restriction could be found. Urged the board to put an up-or-down vote on the September agenda.

Criticized the three-hour park usage survey and said the site is too small for both a trail and a dog park without removing trees. Opposes any dog park next to homes, says a deed restricting the land to hiking and non-motorized biking exists, and asked why locations are being discussed before the needs assessment is done.

Opposed, citing the trail's width that serves group walking, running, and school athletics, and a deed signed by Homer Hayward restricting the land to hiking and non-motorized biking.

Asked the board to remove Hayward Park as a site, citing proximity to homes, the trail link to Pebble Beach, coastal-zone wildlife, lack of infrastructure, and unreliable volunteer-only maintenance.

Criticized late posting of presentation slides, questioned the transparency of the subcommittee and advocacy group, and asked that anti-dog-park petitions get equal consideration; urged the board to 'just say no.'

Walks his dog at Hayward Park several times a week and isn't against a dog park, but urged the board to verify trail connectivity to Pebble Beach, coordinate with Asilomar on parking, and sort out maintenance before proceeding.

Said the pledged money seems to be driving the push, noted repeated resident opposition at meetings, questioned where survey supporters are, and asked the board to table the project.

Supported the dog park, citing local businesses and residents in favor, and urged the board to simply forward a recommendation to the City Council; countered that most objectors just don't want it near them.

Asked that Hayward Park stay as natural open space, noting its wildlife, native trees, and trail connections, and said a dog park would require removing trees and fencing half the acre-size park.

Walked all three sites and opposed Hayward specifically: 37 live trees impacted, feet from homes and the conference center, parking and noise impacts, and potential TOT tax losses.

Lives about 100 feet from the proposed site and urged an alternative location, citing noise, sanitation, parking losses, and property value harm; asked for noise, traffic, and environmental studies before any approval.

Explained the donor covers all construction and maintenance, the design is by a licensed architect, Hayward Lumber's manager supports it, and PG Dog Owner Group would monitor rules; shared a story of a dog killed off-leash at Silomar to show the need.

Invoked the city charter's provision that Pacific Grove is primarily a city of homes and argued the Hayward site is not the right place, urging consideration of residents.