Dog Park Location Pros & Cons

Field 5 Dog Park Option

Pro:

• Should be able to provide a +/- 25,000 SF dog park. This would be approximately 6,500 SF larger than the existing Ulysses Park dog park.
• Most of the area is around 2.5% slope (2.5 feet of fall over 100 feet) with the west edge at 10% slope (10:1).
  1. This dog park area and amenities will be accessible and provides a much larger use area for those with health conditions or impairments.
• Should be less maintenance for Parks staff.
• Engineering to address drainage, water quality, and erosion will not be as complex as the North Central option.
• Large existing trees along the south edge provide shade.
  1. Can add benches in shade.
  2. Consider adding one small picnic shelter (+/- 16’ x 16’).
• In the future, it may be possible to expand the Field 5 dog park to the 5:1 - hillside to the west of the area shown on the illustrative plans.
• Flatter slopes will make it easier to construct fencing.
• Good winter sun orientation.

Con:

• Will need to re-post a new illustrative plan on Guiding Golden for public comment.
  1. Need to schedule a new public forum with the apartment complex to the west to provide an opportunity for comment.
• Users would need to walk an extra 525 feet to reach the Field 5 dog park entry (approximately 1.5 city blocks) as compared to the entry for the North Central Option.
• Will need to pave the segment of walk from the existing asphalt path to the dog park entry (300').
  1. May want to consider converting the existing 150-foot asphalt path to concrete to improve accessibility and durability.
• May need to protect the root zones of existing trees with fencing.

• Cannot provide a bottle filler / dog bowl at the Field 5 dog park entry.
  1. Will need to be +/- 475 feet to the south due construction cost and to avoid drinking water going stagnant in 900-foot service line.
• Will be more difficult for Golden Police to monitor the Field 5 Option.
• Longer travel distance within the park for Parks Maintenance.
• Trail lighting only.

North / Central Dog Park Option

Pro:

• Can provide a larger dog park area (approximately 37,000 SF). This would be 18,500 SF larger than the existing Ulysses Park dog park.
• Entry a very short walk from the new North Parking Lot (50’ to 75’ to most parking spaces).
• The dog park entry can easily be reached by those with health conditions or impairments.
• Cost effective to provide a bottle filler / dog bowl at the entry.
• Parks Maintenance Staff can easily reach the entry from the North Parking lot for maintenance.
• Easy for Golden Police to monitor from the North Parking Lot.
• Will be able to provide a soft surface loop path for non-disabled users.
• Direct lighting from adjacent parking lot.

Con:

• Not user friendly for those with health conditions or impairments. Will only be able to provide a small (+/- 4,500 SF) level area adjacent to the entry. Creating a larger accessible area will require significant regrading and retaining walls.
• The existing slope is 4:1 (or steeper), which will be difficult for Parks Staff to maintain.
• More costly to build on due to the slope. Retaining walls will be needed as will grading to create a bench for the loop path.
• Not as sustainable as the Field 5 Option. Addressing drainage, water quality, and the potential for erosion will be an engineering challenge.
• The loop path will not be accessible to those with health conditions or impairments.
• North facing slope will be shaded / colder in the winter and will hold snow and ice longer.
• An adjacent property owner objected to this location (dust, noise, after hours use, etc.)
• Will need at least two small picnic shelters and new trees to provide shade.