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PRCSC - Consideration of a Recommendation to the City Council Regarding Establishing the “Ballona Creek Connection Designated Dog Path,” which will Augment the Existing Culver City Park Designated Dog Path, Creating a Continuous Dog Path that Connects the Ballona Creek Bike Path with the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook Western Gateway.
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Meeting Date: March 21, 2018
Contact Person/Dept: Corey Lakin/PRCS Department-Administration
Phone Number: (310) 253-6682
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: (Postcard Mailing) Owners, Occupants and Businesses within an extended radius of Culver City Park (Minimum of 1,500 foot radius, see Attachment 2 - Postcard Mailing Area Map; 7,161 addresses; 02/27/18); (Website Postings) PRCS Department Homepage (02/28/18) & Culver City Homepage - Highlights Section (03/01/18); (Email) Subscribers of Community Gardening, Culver City News and Events, Culver City Pool, Culver City Senior Center, Parks, Recreation & Community Service Department Updates, or Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission, (Over 7,000 recipients; 03/02/18 & 03/14/18); (Social Media) Nextdoor (03/05/18), Culver City PRCS Facebook Page (03/09/18) & City of Culver City - Local Government Facebook Page (03/09/18); (200 Flyers) Distributed at Culver City parks and recreation facilities and in the back of Council Chambers (03/08/18 & 03/09/18); (Cable Slide) Culver City TV (03/09/17 through 03/21/18); (12 Posted Notices) Throughout Culver City Park and at the Boneyard (03/09/18 through 03/21/18); (12 Posted Notices) At least one in each of nine other Culver City Parks (03/09/18 through 03/21/18); (Email) Friends of the Culver City Dog Park; Los Angeles Audubon; Culver City Little League; AYSO Region 19; Fulcrum Adventures; Baldwin Hills Conservancy; Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority; Walk n’ Rollers; Ballona Creek Renaissance; Alta Planning and Design; RTI Consulting (03/14/18).
Department Approval: Corey Lakin, PRCS Director (03/14/17)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission consider making a recommendation to the City Council regarding establishing the “Ballona Creek Connection Designated Dog Path” (Attachment 1) which will augment the existing Culver City Park Designated Dog Path, creating a continuous Dog Path that connects the Ballona Creek Bike Path with the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook Western Gateway.
BACKGROUND
The Culver City / Park to Playa - Ballona Creek Connection Project
In 2016, the City received a Proposition 84 Grant from the Baldwin Hills Conservancy (BHC) for the Culver City/Park to Playa - Ballona Creek Connection Project (the “Ballona Creek Connection”). The original amount of the Grant was $336,043.00, with a City Match of $135,360.00, for a Project total of $471,403.00. Due to changes in the marketplace, the Project amount was revised early this year, with a Grant amount of $379,808.00, a City Match of $161,764.00, and a Project total of $541,572.00. The cost of repairing the Culver City Interpretive Nature Trail, a major component of the ADA accessible element of the Ballona Creek Connection, is not included in the BHC Grant agreement. The Nature Trail repair cost of $174,482 will be borne totally by the City of Culver City through the use of its Proposition A Maintenance and Servicing Fund. Therefore, the City’s total obligation to complete the Ballona Creek Connection is $336,246.00.
The Project will complete Park to Playa Regional Trail Segment 7, a crucial trail segment that links the Baldwin Hills Overlook/Culver City Gateway with Ballona Creek. The Park to Playa Regional Trail (the “Trail”) is a 13-mile trail that connects the Baldwin Hills Parklands to the Pacific Ocean. The Culver City Project includes trail improvements, the construction of two new ADA accessible path sections, needed improvements to the entryways of the Boardwalk, and, improvements to and the extension of the Culver City Park Bicycle Path. Wayfinding signage is being provided by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority.
On November 13, 2017, the City Council awarded a contract to CEM Construction for the Culver City / Park to Playa - Ballona Creek Connection ADA Accessible Extension Project (PZ-551; partially funded by a Proposition 84 Grant from the Baldwin Hills Conservancy) and the Culver City Interpretive Nature Trail Repair. In conjunction with these projects, the City is requesting public input regarding the proposed Ballona Creek Connection Designated Dog Path (BCC-DDP).
Regulations Regarding Dogs in Culver City Parks
Dogs are not allowed in Culver City parks except by a Special Permit from the City Council for entertainment or exhibition purposes, in the Off-Leash Dog Park in Culver City Park (aka “The Boneyard”) and on Designated Dog Paths through the parks that have been established by resolution of the City Council (Culver City Municipal Code § 9.10.055; § 9.10.400; and, § 9.10.600, respectively).
The following section of the Culver City Municipal Code pertains to Designated Dog Paths:
§ 9.10.600 DESIGNATED DOG PATHS.
A. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Code, a person may have charge, care, custody or control of any dog upon the designated dog paths established by resolution of the City Council; provided such dog is at all times restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six (6) feet in length, in the control of a competent person.
B. For purposes of this Section, DESIGNATED DOG PATHS shall mean the pathways established by resolution of the City Council as DESIGNATED DOG PATHS and identified by conspicuously displayed signs indicating that they are DESIGNATED DOG PATHS, and where the pathways themselves are marked with pictures of paw prints.
C. Nothing in this Section shall permit or allow any person having charge, care, custody or control of any dog to permit or allow that dog to be in any portion of any public park, except as permitted by § 9.10.400, other than on the designated dog paths established by resolution of the City Council.
(Ord. No. 2006-008 § 3; Ord. No. 2009-003 § 1; Ord. No. 2014-005 § 1)
Impetus for the Proposed “Ballona Creek Connection Designated Dog Path”
In September 2016, staff was notified by representatives of the BHC and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority that the Culver City / Park to Playa - Ballona Creek Connection Project should incorporate a path of travel for dogs and their handlers. Although leashed dogs are allowed on the Ballona Creek Bike Path, they are not allowed in certain areas of Culver City Park. Also, dogs are allowed only on the paved road and in the parking area of the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook (BHSO). Therefore, discussion ensued between the various agencies regarding how the connectivity goal could be met as it relates to allowing dogs and their handlers access to these segments of the Park to Playa Regional Trail. Ultimately, City staff was informed that the BHC had applied to the California State Department of Parks and Recreation to get approval to allow dogs on specified unpaved trails in the BHSO segment of the Trail, and that their application had been approved. In turn, City staff agreed to recommend to the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission and the City Council that the “Ballona Creek Connection (BCC) Designated Dog Path” be established on the Culver City segment of the Trail.
DISCUSSION
On March 7, 2017, Agenda Item A-1 was presented at the Joint Meeting of the City Council and the PRCS Commission, as follows:
CC:PRCSC - (1) City Council and Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission Consideration of Establishing the “Ballona Creek Connection Designated Dog Path,” which would Augment the Existing Culver City Park Designated Dog Path by Incorporating it into a Continuous Dog Path that Connects the Ballona Creek Bike Path with the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook Gateway; and (2) [If Desired] City Council Adoption of a Resolution Designating such Dog Path and Rescinding Resolution No. 2014-R064.
The approved meeting minutes relating to this Agenda Item are provided as Attachment 3. Although there was general support from the City Council and the Commission for establishing the Ballona Creek Connection Designated Dog Path, the necessary Resolution was not adopted. Instead, per the attached meeting minutes, staff was asked to address the following points and come back before the Commission, and ultimately, the City Council:
Point #1: The development of a revised map with more detail, including those items requested by the City Council and the PRCS Commission. Staff response: Please see Attachment 1.
Point #2: The development of an alternate path for dogs and their handlers that is non-ADA compliant. Staff response: Please see BCC-DDP Route 1 as illustrated on Attachment 1.
Point #3: Public access to the restrooms at the Upper Field that are maintained by the Culver City Little League and the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) during those times that games are not scheduled. Staff response: This issue will be discussed during the 2018 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) negotiations that will be held with the Little League (MOU expires on June 30, 2018) and AYSO (MOU expires on December 31, 2018).
Point #4: Providing free doggie waste disposal bags to the public. Staff response: The locations of eight doggie waste disposal bag dispensers are illustrated on Attachment 1.
Point #5: Expanded public notification. Staff response: As compared to the public notification for the March 7, 2017 meeting, public notification began earlier, outreach was done to a greater number of recipients and the coverage was expanded to outlets that were not included at that time, such as Nextdoor and Facebook. For details, please see the “Public Notification” section on page 1 and the section on “The Public Notification Schedule” on page 4.
Point #6: The regulation of dogs at the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook. Staff response: Staff has been informed by BHC representatives that a dog path is currently under development that will extend from the Stoneview Nature Center up to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook Western Gateway. The project is nearing completion.
Point #7: Adequate enforcement to ensure the routes of dogs and their handlers do not deviate off the Designated Dog Paths. Staff response: As is the current practice, the Park Patrol of the Community Development Department / Enforcement Services Division will enforce the regulations related to the prohibition of dogs in Culver City Parks.
Point #8: Adequate signage. Staff response: Wayfinding signage is being provided by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority and it will include information as to the location of the restrooms and trash receptacles. The map, which will be posted at the Park, also includes information regarding the location of the restrooms and trash receptacles (Attachment 1). The Parks Division is responsible for providing Culver City’s standard signs and markings in order to delineate Designated Dog Paths. Six of these signs are noted on the map.
Description of the Proposed “Ballona Creek Connection Designated Dog Path”
If approved, the Ballona Creek Connection Designated Dog Path (BCC-DDP) will be constructed upon existing DG paths, sidewalks, stairs and walkways. Some of these areas will be improved due to the construction of the Culver City / Park to Playa - Ballona Creek Connection Project (PZ551) and the Nature Trail Repair Project. The proposed BCC-DDP has two routes. Route 1 extends the existing Culver City Park Designated Dog Path up to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook Western Gateway. Route 2 utilizes the trail improvements that will be constructed by CEM Construction, creating a fully ADA accessible trail from the entrance of Culver City Park to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook Western Gateway. If approved, dogs and their handlers may then access certain segments of the Park to Playa Regional Trail by traveling on the public right-of-way from the Duquesne Avenue Ballona Creek Bike Path entryway, through Culver City Park via the BCC-DDP routes, to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook Western Gateway.
The formal description of the BCC Designated Dog Path, as noted on Attachment 1, is proposed to be as follows:
• The Culver City Park Designated Dog Path (CCP-DDP) was established in 2009 as an ADA accessible path for dogs and their handlers to access the Culver City Dog Park within Culver City Park, the lower restroom facility and two of the internal parking lots, the lot closest to the Dog Park and the lot adjacent to the Lower Ball Field.
• The Ballona Creek Connection Designated Dog Path (BCC-DDP) Route 1 augments the existing Culver City Park Designated Dog Path (CCP-DDP) by extending its upper entry point. BCC-DDP Route 1 extends CCP-DDP up the road to the Upper Fields Parking Lot and east around the Upper Field #1 outfield fence, leading to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook Western Gateway.
• The Ballona Creek Connection Designated Dog Path (BCC-DDP) Route 2 is a fully ADA accessible path that incorporates the Culver City Interpretive Nature Trial (aka, “The Boardwalk”) and a new ramp just south of the Upper Ball Fields, traveling up to a new ADA trail at the Upper Fields, merging with the BCC-DDP Route 1 at the Upper Fields Parking Lot, connecting to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook Western Gateway.
Current Conditions and Future Maintenance
Although no formal records are kept on the issue, staff sightings and anecdotal reports indicate the dogs and their handlers sometimes frequent the areas of Culver City Park where staff is proposing to establish the BCC Designated Dog Path, even though dogs are currently not allowed in some of those areas. Therefore, one advantage of having a Designated Dog Path in these areas is that the Dog Path will be clearly marked, giving City staff and enforcement personnel the opportunity to inform the public of the appropriate areas for leashed dogs. It is possible that this may lead to better compliance with the City’s guidelines and increased enjoyment of the Park for all visitors and facility renters.
If the BCC Designated Dog Path is established by the City Council, the Parks Manager will add the new Path to the areas of Culver City Park that are regularly overseen and maintained by the Parks Maintenance Crew in order to keep the areas as free of debris as is feasible with the current staffing schedule. Staff does not anticipate that these extra duties will result in a significant increase in staff time spent at the Park.
The Public Notification Schedule
The standard notification period for the establishment of Designated Dog Paths (aka “Pooch Paths”) typically begins three weeks before the meeting date. As detailed in the “Public Notification” section on page one of the report, the following public notification schedule was undertaken for this Agenda Item:
• Postcard Mailing - Three weeks before the meeting date. The Postcard Mailing Area Map is provided as Attachment 2.
• Website Postings - Began approximately three weeks before the meeting date.
• Email Notifications via GovDelivery - Done slightly less than three weeks before the meeting date and again upon the posting of the Meeting Agenda (standard notification).
• Social Media Outlets (Nextdoor & Facebook) - Slightly more and slightly less than two weeks before the meeting date.
• Flyer Distribution - Slightly less than two weeks before the meeting date.
• Cable Slide - Slightly less than two weeks before the meeting date.
• Posted Notices - Slightly less than two weeks before the meeting date.
• Email to Agencies & Organizations - Upon the posting of the Meeting Agenda (standard notification).
Please note that all public comment received by the PRCS Department through Tuesday, March 13, 2018 is provided as Attachment 4.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
As noted previously, some of the areas that the Ballona Creek Connection Designated Dog Path will include are planned improvements related to the City / Park to Playa - Ballona Creek Connection ADA Accessible Extension Project (PZ-551). There are currently sufficient funds for that Project in accounts 42380000.730100.PZ551 (Baldwin Hills Conservancy Proposition 84 Funds / Improvements Other Than Buildings), 42080000.730100.PZ551 (Capital Improvements and Acquisitions Funds / Improvements Other Than Buildings) and 41980000.730100.PZ551 (Park Facilities Funds / Improvements Other Than Buildings). The Ballona Creek Connection signage will be included in the Wayfinding Plan being developed for the Project by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. The signage will be provided at no cost to the City and the installation will be included in the budget for this Project.
Funds have been allocated for the Nature Trail Repair Project in 41430907.600100 (Operating Grants / Repair & Maintenance - Building). Eligible costs will be reimbursed by the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District from the City’s Proposition A Maintenance and Servicing Fund.
There are also sufficient funds in the Fiscal Year 2017/2018 Adopted Budget in account 10130300.514100 (Parks Division / Departmental Special Supplies) for the City’s standard Designated Dog Path signage, paint and stencils and in 10130300.411100 (Parks Division / Regular Salaries) for approximately twenty (20) hours of staff time for the project. Due to the length and unique setting of this particular Dog Path, “paw prints” marking the Dog Path will be stenciled only in a limited quantity on those surfaces that lend themselves to such markings, instead of attempting to paint them along the entire route.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2018-03-21 - ATT 1 Map of the Proposed “Ballona Creek Connection Designated Dog Path”
2. 2018-03-21 - ATT 2 Postcard Mailing Area Map
3. 2018-03-21 - ATT 3 Item A-1 Minutes 03-07-2017 Joint City Council-PRCS Commission Meeting
4. 2018-03-21 - ATT 4 Public Comment Received Through 03-13-2018
MOTION
That the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission:
Consider making a recommendation to the City Council regarding establishing the “Ballona Creek Connection Designated Dog Path” which will augment the existing Culver City Park Designated Dog Path, creating a continuous Dog Path that connects the Ballona Creek Bike Path with the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook Western Gateway.