Ed Austin Regional Park Dog Park Summary Prepared by: The Friends of Ed Austin Dog Park

History An off-lead dog park is part of the Ed Austin Park Master Plan and includes approximately 4 acres to be split into large and small dog exercise areas. The site is heavily overgrown with ground brush, vines, Palmettos, small trees, dead material and litter. Since 2010 there have been unsuccessful efforts to provide funding, The most recent effort failed by a tie vote in 2012. To move the project forward, The Parks and Recreation Department approved volunteer citizens to clear the site and committed to remove the debris.

Current Status Friends of Ed Austin Dog Park, operating under the Greater Arlington Civic Council, was formed, a board of directors elected, and regular meetings held organizing volunteers to complete the clearing of the proposed site. A minimal amount of funds have been donated to cover the cost of small equipment and promotional materials to inform residents about the project. A growing list of over 150 people have shown their support by becoming Friends of the Ed Austin Dog Park, receiving regular emails, visiting the website (www.edaustindogpark.org) and Facebook page, making modest donations and volunteering to work. That list is steadily increasing and dog owners stop by the site every workday to pick up information. Thus far 62 volunteers have worked 862 hours on this project. B&G Plumbing provided equipment and personnel to remove stumps and palmettos probably the single most difficult task in clearing the site. The clearing includes removal of all trees under 4 in diameter, all dead trees, most palmettos, ground brush and stumps as well as trash and litter. The Parks and Recreation department has been instrumental in hauling away this debris. As things now stand, we expect to meet our targeted completion date of June 1st, 2013.

Requested Action The last cost estimate for the dog park is dated January 1, 2011. (Copy attached.) We ask that the appropriate Department prepare a new one. There are a variety of reasons for this request. We will mention a few. The 2011 estimate did not include an amount for site preparation. The new estimate should include the cost of site preparation after the Friends have completed the removal of brush, palmettos, etc. Secondly, the dimensions of the park have changed somewhat. (A copy of the current plan is attached.) Third, the estimate did not take into account the fact that the existing fence along Monument Road and about two-thirds of the fence along the JEA right-of-way can be used instead of being replaced with a new fence. The other features of the 2011 estimate should be included but updated and we urge that a provision be made for a simple electronic card pass system to control entry into the park. The new estimate should be completed in sufficient time to be considered in the upcoming budget and if it is not now part of the budget proposed for Parks and Recreation, we respectfully ask for an appropriation bill to be introduced as part of this years budget process to fund the dog park in the amount called for by the new estimate. We also request the Department of Recreation and Parks give full consideration to our recommendation for an annual fee paid by the dog owners who would pre-register their dog and obtain an access card to gain entry into the exercise area. These fees could help offset the cost of maintaining the area, and the registration process will limit access only to owners with up to date veterinary records, who sign an agreement associated with park rules and who have purchased city dog licenses.

Summary
A recent survey of Hidden Hills residents, with a 56% response rate, reported that 42% of their residents own a dog. Nationally, the Humane Society of the United States reports that 39% of all households own at least 1 dog. If these statistics are representative of the Arlington area, there are hundreds of residents who would benefit from the enhancement to the park, giving them a unique, safe and controlled area to enjoy their pets. We believe that completing this important part of the parks Master Plan will add significant value to residents who may not be using the park today along with those who do. Please help us fulfill this tremendous asset to our city!

Friends of the Ed Austin Dog Park

Just a few of our enthusiastic volunteers!

Progress Chart
Sq, Ft. Total Sq. Ft. Sq. Ft Cut Sq Ft. Cut & Removed S. F. Stumps/Palmettos Pulled S. F. Stumps/Palmettos Trimed & Piled S. F. Stumps/Palmettos Removed Pct.

134,400 NA 134,400 100.0% 123,900 92.2% 95,200 70.8% 93,100 69.3% 34,000 25.3%