2018-108 Dog Park HistoryDate: August 24, 2018 Report No. 2018-108
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Development of the Wiggly Field dog park and the proposed dog park at North Lakes Park.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
In response to a Council inquiry following a work session presentation on August 14, 2018, the
following information is provided.
1). Can you please retrace the funding for Wiggly Field dog park, as well as the recent
update. When was it funded, impetus, etc.
The 2000 Bond program provided funding for the design and development of Lake Forest Park.
The Parks and Recreation action plan at the time included land acquisition for a community park
in far south Denton to address rapid growth in the area. Facilities identified for the community
park included trails, athletic fields, a recreation center, multi-purpose courts, play and picnic areas.
The park was to be developed in phases with the first phase including construction of an access
road, parking lots, a playground, open area practice athletic fields, walking trails, and a dog park.
The initial funding for land acquisition was comprised of:
Funding Amount Funding Source
$401,815.20 2000 GO Bonds
$920,796.16 2001 GO Bonds
$54,089.94 Park Dedication Funds (915)
$25,585.00 Park Development (916)
$1,402,286.30 Total
In December 2002, 69.32 acres were purchased for the park. Acquisition was approximately
$1,322,611. Remaining funds were used for surveys, administrative costs, and a playground.
Additional funding for Phase 1 of the park’s construction and development was established from:
Funding Amount Funding Source
$94,321.89 2000 GO Bonds
$614,244.00 2001 GO Bods
$63,545.03 Park Dedication Funds (915)
$191,526.71 Park Development (916)
$963,637.63 Total
The additional funding was used for design and construction which began in 2004 with the
engagement of Dunkin, Sims, Stoffels for design. The majority of construction was performed in-
house. Expenditures included consultant fees, site work, hiring of equipment, installation of
infrastructure, materials / equipment, street work, and labor costs. Based on the information
Date: August 24, 2018 Report No. 2018-108
available, approximately $200,000 was expended on construction of the dog park. The dog park
opened in 2006.
No major changes have been made to the dog park since its initial construction. In June 2018,
approximately $27,000 in upgrades to the park were performed by Park Maintenance that included:
Graded and leveled large dog area
Repaired irrigation
Laid sod and spread seed
Added terrace, sand , and concrete under trees
Added line for dog water stations
Added concrete pads for picnic tables, benches, and trash receptacles
Replaced 1 bench and re-set other benches to ensure safety / compliance
Removed outdated signage
The Parks Department continues to evaluate the condition and amenities of the dog park to identify
additional upgrades and needed funding.
2). Please do the same for the proposed dog park next to the Animal Shelter. When was it
funded, sources, how was budget established, justification?
The City acquired this property in 2008 through an agreement for the purchase of approximately
20.5961 acres of land from Rayzor Investments under Ordinance 2008-293. The purchase contract
provided for the allocation of a 14.7189 acre General Municipal Purpose tract and a 5.8774 acre
Municipal Park tract. The acquisition amount was $1,345,761 with $961,734 funded through
Certificates of Obligation (CO’s) and $384,027 from the 2005 CIP soccer project.
The intent of the purchase was to acquire land for the proposed McNatt Animal Care and Adoption
Center and to allow for the expansion of the northeastern limits of North Lakes Park. Additionally,
the land was considered in the planning of an adult athletic complex. Feedback indicated strong
opposition to the proposed location of the athletic complex due to the encroachment on natural
preserve area. In 2012, the athletic complex was moved to land acquired northwest of the animal
center where it is currently under construction. The original tract of land was then identified as the
site for a second dog park. The proposed construction comes in response to numerous requests
from the public for a dog park on the north side of the city and high usage and demand at Wiggly
Field in Lake Forest Park off Ryan Rd.
Current funding for the North Lakes dog park comes from:
Funding Amount Funding Source
$30,481.90 Proceeds from sale of North Lakes land
$19,719.07 Park Dedication Funds (915)
$361,338.00 Park Development (916)
$411,538.97 Total
Date: August 24, 2018 Report No. 2018-108
Approximately $33,150 has been expended on the installation of irrigation controls and the design
of the parking lot. Below is a bulleted list of all work/steps completed towards the completion of
this project:
Staff identified the following milestones between 2014 and 2018:
o October 2014 – Hired Gerry Curtis Associates to conduct a survey of the property for
the dog park.
o November 2014 – Hired Dunaway Associates to design a parking lot.
o 2016 - Funding from the 915/916 Fund was transferred to a North Lakes Dog Park
project account.
o April 2017 – Irrinet irrigation controls installed at future Dog Park location.
o April 10, 2018, City Council meeting – Discussion was held regarding the dog park
and the fact that prior staff had told City Council it was to be completed a few years
ago. Following the meeting, Parks and Recreation began working on the dog park with
the intent of getting it completed as soon as possible to follow through with the park
development commitment.
o May 2018 – Parks and Recreation staff began working on a concept plan for the
proposed dog park
o June 22, 2018 – Parks and Recreation staff conducted a kick-off meeting to review an
initial design concept.
o August 6, 2018, Park, Recreation and Beautification Board– Presented design concept.
o August 14, 2018 – Presentation to City Council on the concept design.
o August 16, 2018 – Public meeting on the initial concept.
Staff is in the process of designing multiple layouts at various price points based on Council
direction and feedback received at the public meeting held on August 16, 2018. Additional
stakeholders are being identified to gather comments on the proposed project. Refined designs and
estimates will be brought back to the Park, Recreation and Beautificaiton Board and City Council
for consideration in September or early October.
STAFF CONTACT:
Laura Behrens
Assistant Director, Parks and Recreation
(940) 349-7469