After an eight-year process, Lower Kinnear Park Off-Leash Area, at 899 W. Olympic Place, is now open. It is the 13th off-leash area in Seattle.
The Lower Kinnear Park Off-Leash Area is 5,400 square feet, similar in size to nearby small off-leash areas such as Regrade Park and Denny Park.
The space for it was first selected back in 2006. Funding came through two years later, after the city’s Parks and Green Spaces levy was passed in 2008. This levy provided $70,000 that was designated for the planning and development of the off-leash area, according to Seattle Parks and Recreation spokesperson Karen O’Connor.
The project originally encountered a few challenges, according to Frank Robinson, an architect with Seattle Parks and Recreation. “We had to do a lot of regrading to prevent land erosion,” because of the sloped nature of the land, he said.
The site also contained a lot of large trees, which added an extra element of difficulty in designing the space. “We tried our best to protect all existing trees, and we ended up not having to cut any down,” Robinson said.
The surfacing was also a source of controversy during the project’s actualization. Robinson said wood chips were used after a lot of dog owners requested it. However, pea gravel is the most commonly used surface for off-leash areas in surrounding neighborhoods. Robinson noted, “Pea gravel drains better and isn’t as messy.”
The off-leash area is now complete with a double-gated entry, woodchip surfacing and a kiosk for trash disposal and community postings. There is also an emergency gate at the far end of the area, included at the request of a community members as well as local nonprofit Citizens for Off-Leash Areas (COLA).
The area is enclosed by a “beautiful hybrid fence,” Robinson said. “We did an extra bit of work to make the fence look really nice.”
Curbing crime
COLA is an entirely volunteer-run organization whose goal is to support and maintain Seattle’s many off-leash dog parks. COLA board president Patrick Jones noted that his organization worked with parks-department personnel and the public in designating a space within Kinnear Park for the off-leash area.
The area chosen had previously had some problems, including drug dealing, prostitution and homeless encampments. In an e-mailed statement, COLA’s board members said that “the presence of people and, in particular, dogs, is expected to make this scheduled area safer. The effectiveness of bringing dogs into an area to deter illicit activity is well documented.”
Other off-leash areas across the country have had success in decreasing illicit activities in the surrounding area. This is, in part, due to the increased pedestrian traffic at many different times throughout the day.
Off-lease areas also free up police to seek out dangerous criminals instead of giving off-leash citations to dog owners.
Attempting to deter crime isn’t the only community benefit of having an off-leash area nearby. According to the American Kennel Club, dogs that are accustomed to playing with other animals and people other than their owners are more likely to react well to strangers. Also, well-exercised dogs are less likely to create trouble, bark excessively and destroy property.
COLA believes off-leash exercise is important in getting dogs under control, which further benefits everyone in the community, not just dog owners. In addition, these spaces help build a solid sense on community.
Park rules
Other parts of Kinnear Park, including upper Kinnear, were unofficially being used as a dog park before the new site was opened. Before the creation of the new site, there were no off-leash areas in either Queen Anne or Magnolia. The Magnolia Manor off-leash area was also funded by the Parks and Green Spaces 2008 levy.
Off-leash areas like the one in Kinnear Park will continue to serve a growing demand: COLA predicts the Kinnear site will be used by 50 dogs a day upon opening, with the potential for increase.
Dog owners are the largest group of users at Seattle parks, 365 days a year, according to COLA.
While the Lower Kinnear Off-Leash Area is free to use and located within a public park, there are still a few rules about use. Female dogs in heat are not allowed in off-leash areas. Also, puppies younger than four months of age are prohibited.
In addition, all dogs must be licensed and vaccinated before being allowed to play in off-leash areas.
The Lower Kinnear Park Off-Leash Area’s official grand opening is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 24, from noon to 3 p.m. COLA will provide refreshments, including coffee, hot chocolate, fruit and pastries. It will also give away some free gifts while supplies last.
More information about the grand opening and other off-leash areas in Seattle can be found at both COLA’s (www.coladog.org) and the Seattle Parks and Recreation’s websites (www.seattle.gov/parks/offleash.asp).
To comment on this story, write to QAMagNews@nwlink.com.