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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda Report - October 21, 2015 I-01AGENDA ITEM CITY OF LODI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION TM AGENDA TITLE: Provide Direction Regarding Lawrence Park Operations MEETING DATE: October 21, 2015 PREPARED BY: Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director z - i RECOMMENDED ACTION: Provide direction regarding Lawrence Park operations. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Lawrence Park is one of the oldest parks in the City. Its main features are the playground, restrooms, back of the Zupo Field outfield fence and the best shade of any city park. It also is designated as one of our off -leash dog parks. The park, however, is also the most troubled in the city. Parks Division staff routinely finds hypodermic needles in the restrooms, where drug deals and sexual acts are often consummated. The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department has been asked by neighboring businesses to take whatever steps are necessary to eliminate illegal activity that either occurs in or has a connection to the park. That has resulted in removal of barbecues, which were used for campfires, and the large number of picnic tables (in two phases), as the Lodi community has no interest in renting the park for family gatherings. In an effort to make Lawrence Park more attractive to community use, staff proposes expanding on its existing dog park designation and building a park with the features desired by users of our other dog parks, such as fencing separate exercise areas for large and small dogs. There is the potential to partner with the Lodi Police Department, which could move its current K-9 training facility from a narrow space south of Chapman Field to a larger area. Fencing a single rectangular area is estimated to cost approximately $20,000. Creating large- and small -dog areas would add to that expense. The playground and restrooms would remain in place. Although the preliminary findings in our Strategic Plan indicate Lodi has more than sufficient space for dog parks, this would not increase space. If anything, it would be attractive high -ground space for those times when the Beckman and Vinewood basins (dog parks) are holding storm water. Additionally, encouraging more dog use at Lawrence Park could allow us to consider re-establishing one of those basin sites for other community recreation needs. Additionally, this is the only dog park east of Ham Lane, while designated dog areas are abundant west of Ham Lane. On September 1, 2015, the Recreation Commission voted 3-1 to endorse the concept of a developed dog park at Lawrence Park. The City Council is asked to provide its direction at this meeting. Staff anticipates park development would come in phases as funds permit. This could range from relatively low-cost additions such as furnishings and apparatus for dogs and their owners, to development of a parking lot with mutual benefits to park and nearby business owners. APPROVE ' e n' c abar, City Manager Provide Direction Regarding Lawrence Park Operations October 21, 2015 Page 2 Staff has met with representatives of the park's two largest neighbors to discuss the concept. Management of the American Legion Hall and the Grape Festival Grounds are supportive. At least one other Lockeford Street business has indicated it would provide some level of financial support for this concept, as Lockeford Street serves as one of the major routes to downtown Lodi from Highway 99 and the park currently does not project a positive image for visitors. FISCAL IMPACT: PRCS staff will seek to fund the project through donations. Staff time and minimal PRCS funding (Fund 43299000, Small Capital Projects) may be needed. FUNDING AVAILABLE: Not applicable. Jeff Hood J t ° J Parks, R ation and Cultural Services Director JH:tl cc: City Attorney \\lodi.gov\users\PRKS REC Users\tlovell\Word Documents\City Council\Communications 2015\10-21-15 Lawrence Park Direction.doc 9/30/2015 "hzi od La'wr -nce Park ouerrations Is •Y_n" SSE . � 'f• � � � —� � � � :r Lawrence Park history Acquired1926 Named for Lawrence family homestead, first mayor George Lawrence. 10.2acres includes Zupo Field Poured -in-place playground surface installed aoo6. 1 fir+ 1 :•i T! .� � , j ?� � � n_^ . �+ � �. v :,r r �' - • ti is, �"r�+: ,�r _ ��r ��,.� -� ark - ;• * ,... , �i • : 4 ��+� 1 •f �'_ • 'i *• Y + •. * ii •XT�S!!�� 'Pf' �_Y , IAAF ip 27 kS• i � j jew 1k 16 -C", �- ,. ;• •- �r .a ?� �.r�'•�► � .moi` SLS ',�:~�. � •� y- '+ +�� .� r 16 Ak ek 40 0 F.11 f .. Jam• �: �:• + �� - - '�,.' 4'. ,�� ►k, l,.f�. t SC ' • ' � � } � t�' jr' �' r . r :�� rte- .. + �,dy}� �# k J ;tr• ,r sem. rt op MORO Park pros and cons Pros Fantastic shade Not in a basin, available year-round Within walking distance of east neighborhoods Proximity to athletic fields Modern playground equipment Pedestrian route to school Pros and cons Cons Significant illegal activity Drug use and sales Public sex acts High number of police calls Complaints from neighboring businesses Unattractive entry to downtown Park amenities misused, deteriorated Large amounts of garbage Pedestrian route to school Lawrence Parlic�ru Parks staff "sweeps" restrooms daily Today's results X f GO., Crime at Lawrence Park Park with third -most calls for police service (Jan. i -Oct. i9 Goal for Lawrence Park All parks should be safe, inviting Make park attractive destination for local residents Improve downtown entry Place for sports field visitors to enjoy Suitable for community events Potential dog park project Lawrence Park already designated as dog area Unfenced Only dog park east of Ham Lane Solicit donations for developed dog area Fenced areas for large, small dogs Dog park play features Community gathering spot Partner with police for expanded K-9 training Relocate from behind Chapman Field fence Possible funding through LPD sources Greater police presence Focus dog parks in smaller footprint Dog Areas Lodi, California Recommended Standard of Parks and Recreation 1 Site per 2 5, 000 People Master Plan 2015 1 N r Ludl LA. W f,r . nrl rr,., ar � rnlon sl _CC � Park a E T.rr>1n AA .� wLu�krrwrJs i '�`sr o `� I.n y ! n w e In. sl •s Fr ww eub sl .Ilea W L -di A.. W Le A! C�.irin Crr � L y M Tli �mrin 51 W TM rr at i 1_qSr e Cnrnr.i Ad - •n 1Ane d nr �i..ti.Ul 1 Park- M:Pleat Viol ry _ wYrri.Sr h k f_ V,n ST 3r An Wn nr Pyk a. " S3 0 r,yy _ ak Y �Ym Culp Ti.nur D� w [Ipn c w Lakryhd� 6ECh�lr3�r Perk ♦<1in 9 {�r W C-1." Blrp �•� _ E !'.n alta 's L-r.,C-pr L y In Park & Rec Site 0 Site Service Area _D Local Road r—N� Major Road prov' a Highway *%,. consuffing Lodi, CA Boundary Sources. Esn, DeLe me, I+ERE, LISGS, Intermap. Ijes increment P Corp.. NRCAN Esn Japan, MET], Esti China (H wq Kum), Esn (Thailand). TomT m Potential dog park project Verbal support to date: Police Department American Legion Grape Festival Other Lockeford Street businesses Recreation Commission voted in favor on Sept. i No onsite parking American Legion has expressed need for off-street parking Potential dog park project Opposition Interest in keeping park "for" homeless/transients r ri A�rf M a IF I L] Council input Should staff proceed with developing existing dog park site? I- / Jennifer Ferraiolo From: Jennifer Ferraiolo Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2015 9:11 AM To: 'D G' Cc: City Council; Steve Schwabauer; Janice Magdich; Jeff Hood Subject: RE: Lawrence Park Thank you for your email. It was received by the City Council and forwarded to the City Manager's office and Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department for information, response, and/or handling. In addition, your correspondence will be made a part of the City Council meeting record as a "Blue Sheet" item. Jennifer M. Ferraiolo, CMC City Clerk P.O. Box 3006 Lodi, CA 95241-1910 (209) 333-6702 (209) 333-6807 FAX From: D G [mailto:aohbytdlrdhotmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2015 8:40 AM To: City Council Subject: Lawrence Park I am requesting that you conduct an investigation before providing final direction regarding Lawrence Park operations. Displacing the homeless from Lawrence Park simply moves them elsewhere. Since some of the tables have been removed from the park, I have noticed an increase in homeless people frequenting downtown during business hours. Is there a direct correlation? Having a vibrant downtown is critical to the success of Lodi and our wine tourism. Scooters; Top Water; and The Rusted Mic have already gone out of business. Antiquarian, the Bead Store and the Bath Store are currently closing. It would seem that increasing the homeless population downtown would negatively impact downtown businesses. Lodi has nine dog parks for 63,338 residents. By comparison, Stockton has two for 298,118 residents. Even the Lodi Strategic plan stated that Lodi has enough dog parks. What Lodi does need is a successful downtown area which will increase tax revenue and help all of the citizens of Lodi, not just a few. De Ette Goni