Dog owning residents will be happy to hear that the City of Lafayette is just a little bit closer to obtaining an off-leash dog park. Noting that this will be a, “long drawn out process” Jennifer Russell, Parks Recreation and Trails Director, emphasized this negotiation is in its initial stage. The City is interested in buying the Olympic Boulevard property but, “We still need to determine if the County is willing to sell it to us at a price we can afford,” said Russell.
The triangular shaped parcel along Olympic Boulevard from Reliez Station Road to Pleasant Hill Road is owned by Contra Costa County and has been officially declared surplus. It’s currently leased to the East Bay Regional Park District. The basically flat, open space already has parking, water, and garbage collection.
After considering various locations staff felt that the Olympic Boulevard Staging area meets the design criteria for a dog park. Although early in the process, it may be divided into separate small and large dog areas.
If the City and County can agree on a value, there will be public hearings, and plenty of opportunity for feedback from residents in the area and of course, dog owners. There may even be some partnering with the Park District, speculated Russell. For more information go to the Lafayette Dog Owners’ Group website, www.lafayettedog.org.
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA