Queen Creek to relocate Founders Park dog park across street, double fenced area and add shade

Parks and Recreation Director Adam Robinson presented the town’s plan to relocate and expand the Founders Park dog park after the current dog‑park site will be occupied by the planned police headquarters.

Robinson said the proposed site, across the street within Founders Park, will double the current dog‑park area and more than double parking. The design creates two adjacent, interchangeable “cells” (large‑dog and small‑dog areas) that the town can open alternately to allow turf recovery and maintenance; each cell would include shade canopies, drinking fountains and additional seating.

Why it matters: the relocation aims to avoid a lapse in service when the police facility is built, reduce on‑site parking conflicts, improve shade and turf conditions, and preserve the amenity in the town center. Staff said the move also avoids building full new utilities at a greenfield location and reduces overall construction cost and schedule risk.

Robinson described several design choices: two parking areas (paved and gravel) so users can choose surface preference; separate gated entrances for the large‑dog and small‑dog cells to reduce intermixing at entry; and a single shaded area that both cells can access depending on which side is open. He said the two‑cell approach will allow one cell to be closed for deep watering and recovery while the other remains open to users, improving turf longevity.

Robinson outlined outreach and schedule: the town will produce a dog‑park landing page, post signage at both the new and current sites, publish social media and news releases, and create short videos as elements are completed. He said construction fences were expected to go up within weeks and staff anticipate construction finishing around mid‑February (schedule described as dependent on contractor performance).

Council members asked operational and neighbor questions. Councilmember Benning confirmed the project will be bid to contractors rather than handled as a sole‑source contract, and asked staff to do outreach to adjacent homeowners; staff agreed. Benning also asked where Founders Day and the “Battle of the Badge” would be held during construction; Robinson said Battle of the Badge will move to Frontier Family Park’s multipurpose fields for that event.

Robinson summarized the benefits as increased parking, greater shade, improved turf by alternating cells for maintenance, and elimination of a recurring conflict where users parked in the adjacent commercial lot. He closed by saying staff will return with construction notices and outreach leading to a ribbon cutting once the project is complete.

Ending: council members thanked staff for the design and said they expect the expanded facility to improve user experience while the police building moves forward.