In response to public concerns about dog attacks, Coronado officials have decided to add fencing at least 42 inches tall to enclose the existing 1.5-acre green space of the Coronado Cays Dog Park, matching the height of the existing stone wall to the west of the area at the southern end of Cays Park.
City Council members voted unanimously on July 15 to erect a see-through, decorative fence with two entries and small vestibules, or double-gated enclosures to allow for dogs entering and exiting, around the park.
“We can always, down the road, raise the fence beyond the 42 (inches),” said Mayor John Duncan. “We can always do separate sections. We can always do the plants, we can do other things. But I think this is a reasonable, moderate motion to address the concern.”
Council members Amy Steward and Kelly Purvis submitted a request last month for fencing around the dog park.
Ahead of the vote, Coronado Cays resident Matt Zagrodzky told of two incidents where his sons experienced attacks by separate dogs.
“I don’t come here to request this because of any animosity towards the dogs. There are a few unruly dogs with owners who don’t adequately control their dogs who frequent the park,” said Zagrodzky.
Coronado Cays resident Jim Collora said he has not personally seen any instances of dog attacks in the last 20 years.
“In my opinion, a fence is not needed in the dog park,” said Collora. “It would restrict the openness of the park, I believe, as it is today.”
Coronado Cays resident Henry Angelino, who was among the people in support of a fence, called the situation “a critical safety issue.”
Angelino, general manager of the Cays Homeowners Association, said a dog at the park recently attacked a woman bicyclist.
“An off-leash dog ran out and bit her leg,” said Angelino. “The other thing is, people that visit our park don’t necessarily know where that boundary is either. They see an open area of grass that nobody’s using, so they’re gonna go over there. So I think it’ll help clarify that for everyone.”
Coronado Cays resident Dianne Fishel also described her personal experience visiting the park as someone with a disability.
“I have double vision,” said Fishel. “I am afraid to go there because it’s not just once that somebody throws a Frisbee. … I don’t have a dog, even though I love them, but they need to have their own space.”
The city’s decision comes as the city launches a $28 million Cays Park Master Plan, which also calls for fencing around the dog park.
“This request should not be considered an implementation of the Cays Park Master Plan,” says a city document. “The dog park fencing currently under consideration would serve as an interim installation.”
City Manager Tina Friend told the council to distinguish this fence from the plan whose enclosure project could take four years.
“I would like to keep the park with this project as much the same shape as it is now,” said Duncan who initially objected to the vestibules.
After that modification to Duncan’s suggestions, the plan to move forward with a fence was approved on a 5-0 vote.
