Proposed dog 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.

Thanked the board for its thoughtful process, reported strongly favorable feedback from six hours of outreach at the farmers market, and argued the Hayward Park deed doesn't preclude a dog park.

Reported 125–130 petition signatures and nine out of ten people in favor, read a Chamber of Commerce newsletter item on dog parks' business benefits, and flagged low dog-registration rates.

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.

Lives near Arnett Park; opposed the dog park after seeing the full proposal, citing eight full parking spots, a hazardous dead-end U-turn on Piedmont, no sidewalks, barking that echoes through the canyon, and homes within feet of the fence.

Her bedroom faces the proposed park; believes it would hurt property values and that her complex's gardeners already absorb garbage cleanup from ballgames.

25-year resident next to the park; asked whether the city has done a professional noise study for the quarry acoustics, whether alternative sites exist, and what ongoing costs would be.

Said neighbors were shocked there was no consultation before the proposal; argued a dog park would eliminate kids' play structure use and green space, that rules would be ignored (citing dogs in the dog-prohibited ballfield), and cited Municipal Code 10.04.150 on dogs disturbing the peace.

A 12-year Glen of Pacific Grove resident and retired Beverly Hills traffic commander; noted the deer habitat and owls and asked that the proposal go to the Traffic Safety Commission and that an environmental impact report be considered.

A recent condo buyer near the park; described the quiet, star-lit neighborhood and deer families, and said many residents oppose it and that living next to a dog park 'makes me sick.'

A new resident with a small dog said she struggled to find dog parks locally and strongly supports the project; suggested exploring community development block grants and state programs for future funding.

Lifelong pet owner who currently drives to Carmel Valley and Pacific Grove-area dog parks; emphasized the social community dog parks create and the need to separate large and small dogs.

Shared research on the Pachetti Dog Park in Seaside — a community-funded project approved by that city in 2010 with no city funds, now a regional resource — and reported an overwhelmingly positive Nextdoor survey of PG dog owners.

The potential donor flew in from San Diego to say he's committed a significant amount through the Community Foundation for Monterey County, credited PG Cares volunteers, and described how a dog park changed his life — urging the board to get behind it.

A Pacific Grove Cares representative described the effort as community recreation leadership and vision, noted 45 volunteers, local business support including Hayward Lumber, and said the group is there to partner with the board.

Learned of the item only the day before; asked whether parking had been considered on the site map and whether neighbors had been consulted — questions the board noted but didn't answer during comment.

Strongly supportive; described a January 1 incident where an off-leash dog chased deer at Robert Downs Field, killing a yearling, arguing a dog park would prevent such incidents, and said parking wouldn't be a problem in a walkable town.

Lives near Arnett Park; not opposed to a dog park but raised major concerns about parking on game days and the site's dead-end, uphill, one-way access behind apartments, questioning how walkable it really is.