The rumble of trucks and equipment that has roared through Las
Animas Veterans Park recently will soon give way to yipping and
yapping as the city finishes construction of its new off-leash dog
park.
Gilroy
The rumble of trucks and equipment that has roared through Las Animas Veterans Park recently will soon give way to yipping and yapping as the city finishes construction of its new off-leash dog park.
“At this point, [the dog park’s completion] is in the October or November time frame, weather permitting,” predicted City Facilities Development Manager, Bill Headley.
Both the dog park and a new picnic area are being built on the filled basin that used to be a pond at the center of Las Animas Park. The entire project will cost an estimated $181,499.
“I knew it back when it was a pond,” said park-goer Alyssa Smith as she lounged in the shade, reading a book one afternoon. “For a long time, it was so dried up it looked like just a woody patch with a puddle, maybe a few ducks swimming through it. There are some people who bring their dogs here to play. Having a dog park would probably work.”
In addition to improving Las Anima’s aesthetic appeal, the city hopes that the project will attract more adult visitors and “discourage undesirable park behavior” in areas near the dog park.
Morgan Hill built a similar park in 2006 that is currently the only off-leash dog park in South County. Morgan Hill’s dog park includes separate fenced areas for large and small dogs, benches and even a faux fire hydrant.
Like the Morgan Hill park, Gilroy’s dog park will include benches and separate areas for large dogs and small dogs, but the new Gilroy facility will also feature dog washing and dog drinking stations. The city of Gilroy plans to hold an opening ceremony to mark the park’s completion as well.
“This will be the first facility of its kind that the city of Gilroy has been able to improve,” said Headley. “I imagine we will be doing more like it.”
