Dog Park Design Concept Draws Community Support

Dog lovers and Aliso Viejo enthusiasts met at Aliso Canyon Community Park, the proposed site for Aliso Viejo's first dog park, over the weekend to discuss the project.

A proposed plan for the dog park (in the images to the right) was presented and participants were invited to walk the property. Past the soccer fields in the undeveloped dirt and grass could become home to a new dog park and accompanying parking lot.

During the workshop participants asked questions and voiced their concerns for the project. Most of the concerns were about parking—having enough spaces for those wishing to use the dog park, while limiting cars wishing to park for the soccer fields or bike trails. Parking meters, “Dog Park Parking Only” decals and setting a parking time limit were all suggested.

The project, which is being pursued by the , has been in discussion for more than 10 years, which resulted in a sketch of the conceptual dog park in 2004. Parts of the same sketch have been used in the current plans for the dog park layout.

“The dog park has come in and out of the spotlight for a long time,” said Ross Chun, AVCA president. “[The dog park] would bring something more to the community. Dog owners have been overlooked over the years.”

Chun added that the addition of a dog park would make the community more complete and safer. He hopes having a specific location for off-leash dogs would help prevent people from letting them off-leash in other Aliso Viejo parks.

The proposed dog park plans currently include a gravel parking lot with 25-30 parking spaces (two of which will be handicap accessible), separate areas for big and small dogs, shade areas and benches and a 4-foot high chain link fence to keep the dogs protected. Landscaping to cover the fence and add a more appealing look is also being planned. AVCA board member Jim Martin added that it should “look inviting, not like a prison for dogs.”

The proposed hours of operation for the dog park would be 8 a.m. to dusk.

Aliso Viejo resident Jan Martin has been in support of the dog park project for more than 10 years. And while she has been disappointed in the past from failed projects, she said she feels excited and encouraged this time around.

“It is great to have an AVCA board where everyone is on the same page,” she said.

Chun said he doesn’t have a timeline for completion. The next steps include gaining support from the City of Aliso Viejo and approval from the coastal commission.

“We have community support, the budget and the design concepts. Next thing is bureaucratic support,” he said.

Workshop attendees included:

• Bruce Juenger, a member of the Parks and Recreation Committee in 2001
• Gary Prichard, Capistrano Unified School District Board President and dog owner
• Theresa Vinceguera, resident, local realtor and dog owner who has supported the concept of a dog park for more than 10 years
• Past AVCA Board President Bill Conley, who provided his historical knowledge of the project and support of the initiative as a community volunteer and dog lover
• AVCA Board Members Jim Martin, Ray De Leon and Lisa Naegle — Chun added that AVCA Board Vice President Katie Koster was out of town but conveyed her support and well wishes for a successful workshop.

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What do you think of the current plans for the dog park? Have another suggestion? Tell us in the comments below.