Open Space Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2017 12 13

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Elk Meadow Park is structured around two primary management unit designations that emphasize priorities for the provision of recreational opportunities and protection of the park's resources. The Dog Off -Leash Area is approximately 107 acres and constitutes the Recreation Services and Amenities Area designation. This section of the Park is managed for high levels of visitation and is the focus of this section. The remaining acreage of the Park is a Natural Area. The impetus for development of the Elk Meadow Park Management Plan largely began sometime after 2001 with the need to evaluate increasing management issues of the DOLA at Elk Meadow. 2001-2002 Management Challenges to Be Addressed by the Management Plan In the fall of 2002 the JCOS Management Planning Team began meeting to discuss some of the management challenges associated with the Elk Meadow Dog Park Off -Leash Area. Table 3 identifies the 2002 management challenges associated with the park and the proposed management actions that were explored to address the issues. Table 3: 2001-2002 DOLA Management Challenges Management Challenge Area Management Issue Potential Management Actions Evaluated Vegetation/Landscape • Vegetation is denuded and barren in many places due to the steep slopes and amount of use. The degradation of vegetation is contributing to the destabilization of the stream bank • Impacts to vegetation and landscape is increasing due to creation of undesignated trails, people and dogs traversing the landscape in multiple areas Erosion • Natural steep slope (over 20% grade) is causing severe erosion and destabilizing the hillside • Increased erosion is creating higher sediment loads in the stream • For a trial period of one year, close the current fenced in area for revegetation • Relocate the dog park to a more suitable location, that could include the SB 35 property, or area within Evergreen Parks & Recreation's property • Expand the current one acre dog park, by three additional acres to the west. The terrain is flatter and has a natural spring • Expand or move current fenced in area to the east for a site of approximately 10 acres • Fence in the entire 100+ acre park area & designate trails for off leash dog use, south of Stagecoach to disperse use and resource impacts • Design loop trail to discourage people and dogs from wandering into sensitive landscape/vegetation areas Complaints from Adjacent Residential Areas • Dogs are wandering out of the DOLA & onto private property. Dog barking is loud and creates a nuisance • Design loop trail to discourage people and dogs from wandering off trail near residences • Education and enforcement to keep dogs within voice control Maintenance • Dog waste pick up, trash removal, education & enforcement of rules & regulations for DOLA — management of DOLA versus Ranger responsibilities at other parks they oversee • Consider having a local community group or neighborhood group manage and maintain a relocated dog park 18