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Commission advances low‑cost Stellar Park dog‑park option and reprioritizes playground repairs amid budget squeeze
Summary
Staff recommended converting an underused field at Stellar Park into a dog park this summer and said playground replacement work will be scaled back to repairs because of current budget constraints.
Parks staff told the Parks and Events Commission on May 13 that a low‑cost dog park option at Stellar Park is their preferred near‑term solution for a dog park requested by many residents, particularly on the Ridge.
Staff said the Stellar Park site is an underused T‑ball sized baseball field that already has partial fencing and parking, making it a straightforward conversion with minimal additional fencing, double‑gated entrances and signage. Staff noted the site’s proximity to the Salmon Creek Trail and an adjacent playground and restroom, which supports multiuse visits (dog walkers and children). Staff recommended a modest set of improvements — fencing adjustments, entrances configured for a secure double gate, dog waste stations and signage — that could be completed this summer pending minor budget approvals.
On playgrounds, staff reminded the commission that the recently completed Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) plan set priorities for playground replacement. Because of a current budget and cash‑flow shortfall in the city’s general fund, staff said the full playground replacement program will be scaled back to prioritized repairs and targeted maintenance this year; higher‑cost replacement projects would be deferred into the next budget cycle. Salmon Creek playground and other equipment in poor condition were specifically noted as needing repair or staged replacement, and staff said they would bring a prioritized list and estimated costs back to the commission.
Commission discussion focused on neighborhood outreach and mitigation of typical concerns (pet waste, parking and noise) and on preserving multiuse capacity for fields used by sports leagues. Commissioners supported moving carefully to avoid surprising adjacent residents and asked that staff communicate the plan early to neighbors and provide a clear maintenance and enforcement plan (bag dispensers, regular pickups).
Why it matters: A dedicated Ridge dog‑park location is a frequent request from residents; Stellar Park offers a low‑cost option that minimizes new infrastructure and leverages existing parking and restrooms. Pausing large playground replacements in favor of targeted repairs addresses an immediate fiscal reality but also means some replacement projects will be delayed into 2026 unless city finances improve.
Staff will return with designs, a communications plan for neighbors, estimated costs and a timeline for a phased Stellar Park dog park and the prioritized playground repair list.
