City Council Moves Ahead on Dog Park Plan at Pantera

Diamond Bar is moving forward on plans for a dog park at an undeveloped 1.35 acre parcel above  after a study session Tuesday night.

The city council asked staff to add the project to the 2010-2011 budget after the Tuesday study session, which included a presentation by Community Services Director Bob Rose on two possible plans at Pantera Park.

Rose estimated the total cost of the park project above Pantera will be approximately $131,000 and would create two separate areas — one for large dogs and another for smaller dogs.

After clearing surface plant growth from the soil, to eliminate a possible habitat for ticks, Rose said, the plans would pad the two enclosed areas with wood chips.

Rose said he has heard from other cities where residents expressed a preference for a grass or turf dog park, but that the maintenance and addition of irrigation to put a turf park at the site would raise the cost to around $800,000.

The council also considered an alternative turf plan at the other end of Pantera Park, bordering Bow Creek Drive. The alternative plan came at an estimated cost of $61,600 to fence in a total .75 acres with large and small dog areas separated by a walkway from the street to the baseball fields.

The council expressed a number of concerns about the alternative plan.

"I don't like the closeness to homes, the closeness to the tot lot, and that the plan takes away from developed park space," Councilmember Jack Tanaka said.

City Manager Jim DeStefano said city staff will now work the project into the 2010-2011 budget to come before the council in May while the city's parks and recreation commission considers broader updates to the city's master plans for park development and expansion.

The cost of the 1.35-acre plan also includes fencing for the enclosure, a decomposed granite walkway connecting the new park to the basketball courts nearby, a drinking fountain, benches, and new trash cans around the site.

Resident Angela Sung addressed the city council during the meeting that followed the study session, expressing support for the plan.

"My dog is like my child to me, so just hearing the news is just inexplicable — how much joy this would bring to me and my dog," Sung said.

Sung said one of the largest challenges for her is that the nearest dog parks are not close enough and that she hopes a dog park could help foster more social interaction between Diamond Bar residents as well.

"We pride ourselves on community and would be a great family-oriented activity," Sung said.

Mayor Pro-Tem Ling-Ling Chang said she has heard residents requesting a dog park since her time on the parks and recreation commission four years ago and said a dog park would allow for use across many generations of residents.

"I'm ecstatic about the dog park," Chang said, "and I'm glad to see that interest has increased and people are really wanting to get involved."

Councilmember Ron Everett said during the study session that he hopes the council will solicit further input from the public about the plan before moving forward. Councilmember Carol Herrera asked residents with any input on the project to contact the city's Community Services Department at 909.839.7060 or commsrvcs1@ci.diamond-bar.ca.us.