Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks And Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission endorses San Gorgonio as preferred off‑leash dog park and asks staff to do outreach
Summary
After reviewing an 818‑response community survey, the San Clemente Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission acknowledged San Gorgonio Park as the preferred site for a future off‑leash dog park, asked staff to consider a dog run at Bonita Canyon Park, and directed targeted site outreach prior to returning with recommendations.
The San Clemente Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission on April 14 endorsed staff’s recommendation to advance a single off‑leash dog park at San Gorgonio Park and to study a smaller "dog run" at Bonita Canyon Park. The commission’s action follows a community survey that staff said generated 818 responses.
Parks and Recreation Director Samantha Wiley Beach summarized the staff recommendation, saying, "We have a budget for a capital improvement project, which includes the design of the new park and then the construction of the new dog park as well." She told commissioners the project was initially conceived as two off‑leash parks but staff now recommends focusing resources on a single off‑leash facility and a separate dog run option.
The recommendation identifies San Gorgonio (described by staff as a grassy, freeway‑adjacent area providing natural shade) as the preferred location for the off‑leash park and Bonita Canyon Park as a candidate for a dog run. Staff noted that surfacing choices (natural grass, engineered wood chips, or artificial turf) involve tradeoffs in durability and maintenance, and that environmental review (EIRs or MNDs) and other site‑specific studies will be required before any design is finalized.
During discussion commissioners and members of the public pressed staff on fencing and liability, noise and parking impacts, and surfacing. Betsy Hartley, a nearby resident, said she lived close to the proposed freeway‑side site and did not expect noise to carry toward homes: "I don't think it will affect the neighborhood at all because the noise doesn't travel that way to the homes." Staff said off‑leash use would be managed with double‑gated enclosures, signage and coordination with the city’s insurance and animal control processes, and reiterated that use would be "at your own risk." The commission also discussed locating the park as far from residences as possible to limit barking impacts.
A commissioner moved to accept the staff recommendation, including directing staff to conduct targeted site‑area outreach before returning with panel recommendations; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The motion did not set final surfacing or operational policy, which staff said would be resolved through design and environmental review.
Next steps include targeted community outreach, environmental review as required by state law, and design work. Staff will return to the commission with more detailed recommendations after completing site assessments and public engagement.
The commission’s action does not authorize construction; it directs staff to advance site‑specific evaluation and community outreach.
