Morris was one of nearly 40 residents who attended a community meeting sponsored by San Jose Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services on April 14 to discuss a proposed dog park at Wallenberg Park, near the corner of Curtner and Cottle avenues. If the city approves the plan, Wallenberg will become the first dog park in District 6. The park will cost between $500,000 and $1 million to build.

If the park is approved, it will also address another issue, said San Jose city parks manager Steve Roemer--the problem of dogs running loose around parks and schools.

The search for a Willow Glen dog park has been in the works for years, Roemer said. After viewing several potential sites, including River Glen Park, the parks and recreation department settled on Wallenberg.

The proposal will include small dog and large dog off-leash areas. Each area will be fenced in with double gates for safety. The city is pushing for artificial turf for easier maintenance and will provide pet fountains and waste stations. The dog areas will be set back 150 feet from residential areas, and 4 to 6 feet from the park's foot path. The city will also add 25 new parking spaces that will be located near the bike trail.

For Willow Glen residents like Morris, the new park means they will no longer have to use other facilities much further away. Morris drives his three dogs to Hellyer County Park in south San Jose daily. When Hellyer is closed on Wednesdays, he takes the dogs to Watson Park, on E. Jackson and 22nd streets.

"The dogs need to run," he said.

While some residents went so far as to offer their labor to build the park, others had concerns about several issues, including the potential for traffic congestion on Curtner Avenue. Others wondered whether 25 new parking spaces would be sufficient and whether a dog park was the best use of city funds.

The transportation department has recommended no left turns for eastbound traffic from Curtner Avenue into the park if the dog park is approved. The department has also recommended that drivers exiting the park on to Curtner Avenue only be allowed to turn right, toward Cherry Avenue, said Mary Beth Carter, the park's landscape architect.

San Jose District 6 Councilman Ken Yeager said the dollars used to build the facility will come from the park's general funds, not from funding that is allocated for law enforcement or other city services.

"I think it's worth it," one woman said. "I'm a dog owner and a taxpayer."

For Curt Dunn, himself a dog owner, the issue is not so much about dogs as the park's effect on the neighbors. Dunn's property borders the park and he is worried about the noise and smell.

"How can you do this without affecting the neighbors?" asked Dunn.

The parks are relatively quiet once the dogs are off their leashes and playing, Roemer said, adding that odors would be controlled by maintenance and surface material, such as field turf.

The city will hold its next informational meeting before the Parks and Recreation Commission on June 15. The park's master plan will go before parks for approval on July 6. If the commission approves it, the proposal will be heard by the city council.

"I want to make this happen and it seems like we have the community's support," Yeager said.

For more information, contact park manager Simeon Mercado at 408.794. 1333 or via email at simeon.mercado@sanjoseca.gov.