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Orinda council directs staff to price enclosure option after positive response to Orinda Oaks off‑leash pilot
Summary
After hearing survey results and usage reports, the council agreed to continue the Orinda Oaks off‑leash pilot, seek cost estimates to fence portions of the meadow, and return with a refined, potentially in‑house design and budget; Rotary offered up to $160,000 in support.
The Orinda City Council on Oct. 7 voted to continue the pilot off‑leash program at Orinda Oaks Park and directed staff to develop a refined design and cost estimate, including a potential fenced area, for council consideration.
Todd Trimble, the city’s director of parks and recreation, presented survey results showing about 185 responses to a city questionnaire; roughly 60% of respondents reported visiting the site and many provided detailed comments. Positive feedback on the pilot was common; concerns centered mainly on the lack of fencing and requests for a fenced area. Trimble said operational impacts have been modest — increased trash and bag dispenser refills and some minor turf maintenance — and that staff had not received reports of dog fights, lost dogs or serious incidents.
Staff reviewed prior conceptual designs: an earlier design that required extended compliant pathways was estimated near $775,000; a lower‑cost concept with roadway and parking adjustments had a rough estimate near $400,000. Trimble said fencing alone would be substantially less — roughly $80 to $100 per linear foot — and that an 800‑foot perimeter fence could come in well below $100,000. The council discussed fencing a portion of the meadow with double‑gated entries and separate small/large dog areas as a phased approach.
Council members favored incremental steps rather than committing to large upfront construction. The council received a staff note that the Rotary Club had indicated interest in contributing up to $160,000 toward park fencing or related improvements. Council consensus was to direct staff to prepare a costed action proposal for a phased project — initially focused on perimeter fencing, signage, ADA‑compliant entry, waste stations and ongoing maintenance — and return to the council as an action item. Staff indicated they would involve the city engineer and explore doing design work in‑house.
The council also agreed to continue the pilot program as it collects further data on use and impacts. Public comment on the item was not received at the meeting.
