Committee reviews plan to convert Stellar Park ball field into dog park with $65,000 estimate

Parks staff presented a proposal on June 2 to convert an underused ball field at Stellar Park into a formal dog park that would include fencing tied to the existing backstop, a double-gated entry 'doggy foyer,' additional access gates to the adjacent trail, dog-specific water fountains, and waste stations.

Staff said the field has seen minimal organized athletic use in recent years and that demand for a dog park on the ridge has been a frequent public request. The recommended conversion responds to priorities in the Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails plan and staff said they will begin a public-notice and outreach phase that will include on-site signage with a QR code linking to the proposal on the city website.

On funding, staff estimated anticipated costs of about $65,000 and said the money would come mostly from the parks/playground replacement program and partially from trails funds; staff described this as a reprioritization of planned park improvements rather than removal of existing projects. Council member Holloway asked which specific line items would be deferred; staff said the request reflects reprioritization and some items have been delayed rather than stripped from the program.

Council members asked operational and maintenance questions: staff said they plan to retain the field as grass initially, monitor wear, and adjust surfacing if heavy damage occurs. Lessons learned from other city dog parks include robust fencing, avoiding custom over-bridge features that cost more to maintain, and anticipating wildlife interactions in some park types. Staff said dog-park rules similar to those used at Three Forks Dog Park would be posted and enforced administratively.

What’s next: staff will proceed with public outreach and notice and return to committee with any substantive changes after the public comment phase.