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Olympia city officials tour potential dog-park sites

County commissioner: Play space would be 'good for people'

By Matt Batcheldor | The Olympian • Published March 26, 2009

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OLYMPIA – City officials visited three sites Wednesday that could become the home of the first off-leash dog park in Thurston County, a day after the Olympia City Council voted to set aside $80,000 for such a park.

"I think we're finally … moving from talk to action," said Councilwoman Rhenda Strub, who has pushed the issue for two years. She hopes to break ground on a park before the end of the year.

Strub was joined in the park search by City Manager Steve Hall, Parks Director Linda Oestreich, Associate Parks Director David Hanna and Susanne Beauregard, director of animal services for the Joint Animal Services agency.

They visited Chambers Lake Park on Herman Road and the old McKinley School property on Boulevard Road — both in Olympia — and Burfoot Park off Boston Harbor Road in unincorporated Thurston County.

The goal is a fenced-in area where dogs can roam leash-free. It could be one big park or a combination of parks in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and Thurston County. A private dog park advocacy group, Sound Hounds, could help fund it.

The old school property is owned by the Olympia School District, and Burfoot is a Thurston County property that will be closed indefinitely because of budget cuts.

Hall said the city's not trying to pressure the county and hopes the park can stay open.

The three sites are among many possible locations in South Sound. Hanna mentioned a number of other possible sites: Black Lake Meadows, Yauger Park, a 4-acre "green parcel" off Yelm highway near Spooner Farms, Stevens Field near Lincoln Elementary School, Mission Creek Park, Priest Point Park and Friendly Grove Park.

Other jurisdictions also are considering sites. Thurston County is considering the old Hawks Prairie county landfill for a park, county Commissioner Sandra Romero said.

"I think it's good for people," she said. "It's a good way for people to socialize."

Lacey is considering partnering with the county on the landfill site, City Councilman Jason Hearn said. The Lacey City Council set aside $25,000 for a dog park.