Open Space Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2017 12 13

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Ihm Ci y s1t. Louisville COLORADO • SINCE 1878 CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATION SUBJECT: EXPANDING AND IMPROVING HUMAN/DOG RECREATION OPTIONS AND PROTECTING AND PRESERVING OUR OPEN SPACE DATE: NOVEMBER 27, 2017 PRESENTED BY: HELEN MOSHAK, CHAIR, ON BEHALF OF OSAB MEMBERS, FIONA GARVIN, GRAEME PATTERSON, JIM GIBB, LAURA DENTON, SECRETARY, MICHAEL SCHANTZ, VICE CHAIR, AND MISSY DAVIS Issue: How can the City of Louisville deliver on its commitment to protect and preserve our open space and also provide safe, well-managed, fun, appropriate human & dog off -lease recreation opportunities? Background: • According to census data estimates for 2017, Louisville has population of 20,570 people with a total of 8,441 households with an average household size of 2.43 members and 5,627 family households with an average size of 3.0 members. (https://colorado.hometownlocator.com/co/boulder/louisville.cfm) • Based on statistics developed by the American Humane Society, 37-46% of U.S. households own a dog and the average number of dogs per household owning a dog is 1.6 to 1.7 dogs. Based on these models, estimates of Louisville's dog population alone may range from —3,330 dogs to 6,600 dogs. (http://www. bradfordlicensing.com/documents/pets-fact-sheet.pdf) • Louisville currently has two public areas in which it is legal for dogs to be off - leash. The Community Park Dog Park and the Davidson Mesa Open Space Dog Off -leash area. • Between 2000 and 2002, an 4.5 acre parcel of Davidson Mesa Open Space was set aside as an Dog Off -Leash area to create a fenced area for dog off leash activity. Since its inception the area has been very popular with Louisville and surrounding community dog owners. The heavy traffic of humans and dogs has significantly negatively impacted the health of this open space property. This area suffers from erosion, weed infestation, compacted earth, muddy and dusty conditions, fecal pollution, hazards to wildlife, litter and drainage problems and congested parking. • In 2006, an 2 acre parcel of Community Park was designated as a dog park with facilities that include water, disposal, fencing, gates and landscaping appropriate for safe dog and human off lease activities. This park is also very popular and unable to meet the recreation demands of citizens and guests and their dogs from Louisville and surrounding communities. CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATION