Oswego board backs keeping dog park, asks staff to survey cardholders and study Hunt Club and police‑site options

Kurt, public‑works staff, told trustees the planned construction of a new public‑works facility conflicts with the existing dog‑park site and staff evaluated three possible relocation sites: Venue 1012, the Hunt Club Water Tower parcel, and the police‑department campus. "Staff is seeking direction from the board this evening, regarding the continued operations of the dog park, and if so, the site preference, amenities, and any other considerations," Kurt said.

Trustees quickly indicated a preference to retain the amenity and move it rather than eliminate it. The mayor said, "I'm of the opinion that we should keep the dog park, but move it," and other trustees echoed that view while asking for more information on use and access.

Andrea, staff who produced usage figures, reported card‑swipe counts for gate unlocks as a usage proxy: low 2 swipes per day, high 27, and an average of about 10 swipes per day. Trustees emphasized the difference between registrant counts and actual daily use and asked staff to survey current cardholders about preferred relocation options.

Discussion weighed tradeoffs: the police‑department site is centrally located but has limited adjacent parking and some future space needs; Hunt Club offers more acreage and a larger park footprint but has access constraints and on‑site nursery trees; Venue 1012 has facilities but could conflict with events if dogs were allowed during concerts. Trustees asked staff to consult the Park District about possible land use and to return with additional site analysis and survey results.

Public‑works staff said they would bring back more information on the Hunt Club option, consult the Park District about land availability or cooperation, and survey existing dog‑park cardholders. Trustees gave staff direction to pursue those items and the meeting recessed into a brief break before the board meeting.