New Off-Leash Dog Area Proposed for MacKenzie Park

A meeting this evening takes place at the eastern end of MacKenzie Park to discuss the area’s potential to become an off-leash area for dogs. City Parks and Rec has been studying existing parks over the past year to find a candidate with sufficient space for off-leash usage. The meeting takes place 6-7 p.m. at the end of the park, 3111 State Street, at De la Vina Street.

The area would occupy roughly a half-acre of the 9.5 acre park, next to the corner where dog agility training takes place. The project contemplates separate fenced areas for large and small dogs, benches, landscaping, a drinking fountain, and a new park plaza near the crosswalk at Calle Palo Colorado. The location is strategically located amid residential areas, said Jill Zachary, head of Parks and Rec, and is the result of requests from the public and Parks & Rec Commission members for another off-leash area for dogs in the city.

The city has posted a survey to ask potential users about their dogs and likelihood of using the park, as well as how they’d get there. To take the survey, go here.

The Parks and Recreation Commission takes up the dog-park proposal at its regular monthly meeting on June 22, which is open to the public. The meeting begins at 4 p.m. at City Council Chambers, 735 Anacapa Street. The agenda and staff report can be found here.