Legislation Details

File #: HIST-23946    Version: 1 Subject:
Type: Historical Status: Action Item
In control: PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
On agenda: 1/7/2014 Final action: 1/7/2014
Title: (1) Nine Month Review of the Extension of the Pooch Path at Culver West Alexander Park to include the Walking/Jogging Trail Located within the Park; and, (2) Discussion of Reconsidering the Issue of Recommending a Designated Dog Path on an Interior Walkway at Veterans’ Memorial Park at a Future PRCS Commission Meeting.
Attachments: 1. (1) Nine Month Review of the Extension of the Pooc - ActionItem2.docx
City of Culver City, California Agenda Item Report Meeting Date: 01/07/14 Item Number: A-2 PRCS COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM: (1)Nine Month Review of the Extension of the Pooch Path at Culver West Alexander Park to include the Walking/Jogging Trail Located within the Park; and, (2) Discussion of Reconsidering the Issue of Recommending a Designated Dog Path on an Interior Walkway at Veterans’ Memorial Park at a Future PRCS Commission Meeting. Contact Person/Dept.: Dan Hernandez, PRCS Director Phone Number: (310) 253-6655 Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X] Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X] Public Notification: (Email) Meetings and Agendas – Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission (01/03/14); (Email or Telephone) Interested Parties with Contact Information on File from the 12/04/12 Discussion of this Topic (01/03/14). Department Approval:Dan Hernandez (01/30/13). City Attorney Approval: N/A Chief Financial Officer Approval: N/A City Manager Approval: N/A RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Commission(1) conduct a nine month review of the extension of the Pooch Path at Culver West Alexander Park to include the walking/jogging trail located within the Park; and, (2) discuss reconsidering the issue of recommending a designated dog path on an interior walkway at Veterans’ Memorial Park at a future PRCS Commission Meeting. BACKGROUND: At the July 3, 2012 PRCS Commission meeting, Chair Stuart reported being contacted by a resident about the possibility of extending the designated dog path (Pooch Path) at Culver West Alexander Park to include the walking/jogging trail in order to enable people to take their dogs with them on the trail. At the September 4, 2012 Commission meeting, the Commission unanimously approved investigating the feasibility of extending the Pooch Path and set December 4, 2012 as the meeting date to receive and review public input on the issue.After an extensive public notification process, the PRCS Commission received and reviewed public input regarding extending the Pooch Path at Culver West Alexander Park to include the walking/jogging trail located within the Parkon that date. At the December 4, 2012meeting, the Commission made a recommendation to the City Council to consider extending the Path with the caveat that the extension would come back to the Commission for review after nine months to analyze the impacts. At the January 28, 2013 City Council meeting, the City Council approved the PRCS Commission’s recommendation. City of Culver City, California Agenda Item Report Subsequently, at the August 6, 2013 Commission meeting, the Commission considered making a recommendation to the City Council regarding designating certain sidewalks/walkways within Veterans’ Memorial Park as dog paths. At that meeting, the Commission took the following action (Commissioner Hudson abstaining): MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KIM AND SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR YANDA THAT THE PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSIONMAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO APPROVE THE POOCH PATH ALONG CULVER BOULEVARD AS SHOWN AND DEFER ACTION ON A CUT-THROUGH PATH BEHIND THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AT VETERANS PARK TO AFTER JANUARY 2014 WHEN THE CULVER WEST ALEXANDER PARK POOCH PATH HAS BEEN REVIEWED. DISCUSSION: In March 2013, three signs were posted at intervals along the perimeter of the walking/jogging trail in Culver West Alexander (CWA) Park designating it as a Pooch Path. In preparation for tonight’s review of the Pooch Path extension, the Park Patrol logs for the months of March through November in the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 were examined for reports of dogs in unauthorized areas of the Park; that is, any areas that are not part of the designated dog path. The results are as follows: Park Patrol Reports of Dogs in Unauthorized Areas of the CWA Park MONTH 2011 2012 2013 March 8 2 8 April 2 9 3 May 6 4 1 June 10 5 2 July 6 7 9 August 8 7 9 September 4 7 6 October 4 7 3 November 2 7 1 TOTAL 50 55 42 City of Culver City, California Agenda Item Report Based on the above information, it appears that Park Patrol reports of dogs in unauthorized areas of the Park have decreased since the designation of the walking/jogging trail as a Pooch Path. This is consistent with a report from one Recreation Leader at the site who stated that the majority of complaints in that past were related to dogs being on the trail and now that dogs are allowed on the trail the number of complaints has dropped to a negligible level. Such findings may offer some support for reconsidering the issue of recommending a designated dog path on an interior walkway (per the PRCS Commission, “on a cut-through path behind the Administration building”). FISCAL ANALYSIS: There is no fiscal impact associated with the discussion of this Agenda Item. MOTIONS: That the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission: 1. Review the extension of the Pooch Path at Culver West Alexander Park to include the walking/jogging trail located within the Park; and, 2. Discuss reconsidering the issue of recommending a designated dog path on an interior walkway at Veterans’ Memorial Park at a future PRCS Commission meeting.