Danville Sports Fields, Dog Park Remain Closed

DANVILLE, CA — Several athletic fields and a dog park at a popular site in Danville remain closed to the public because of the effects of heavy rain this winter, according to city officials. The end of the annual moratorium for athletic fields and the Canine Corral dog park at Hap Magee Ranch Park, located at 1025 La Gonda Way, has been postponed because of oversaturation of the grounds, Maintenance Superintendent Dave Casteel said.

Casteel said typically the moratorium would be lifted on March 1, but because the grass is still so wet from several storms that slammed the Bay Area this winter, opening the fields prematurely could result in significant damage to them, jeopardizing their use year-round.

"The ground remains very saturated at this time, and opening them up to regular use would lead to rutting and tears in the turf," Casteel said.

Additionally, he said the fields still need the regular, annual maintenance they receive to get them ready for the upcoming sports season. Casteel said the department has been in contact with the leagues that use the fields for games and matches, and for the most part they have been able to modify their schedules.

He said there are also artificial turf fields that are open for public use year-round. Maintenance service staff will continue to monitor the fields and, weather permitting, they expect them to reopen for public use by mid-March.

Casteel said the dog park could potentially reopen sooner than that. Residents looking for more information on the status of the sports fields and dog park can call the department's recorded hotline at (925) 314-3484.

By Bay City News

Photo via Morguefile