The Orange County Register 

 Council approves plans for dog park

 PUBLIC SUPPORT: Community
 response positive 

 August 24, 2000 

 Byline: 
 Credit: Paige Austin

 Orange City News

 A dog park for Orange, which began with the support of two people, is rapidly
 moving forward with a flood of community support.
 Tuesday the City Council voted to approve plans for a two-acre dog park at the
 western end of Yorba Park on Yorba Street and Chapman Avenue.

 "I think the dog park is a good idea," said City Manager David Rudat. City
 Council members discussed the benefits of the dog park offers in terms of the
 city's park diversity as well as the exercise and socialization benefits for dogs and
 owners.

 The dog park will be funded by the Orange Dog Park Association founded
 two years ago by Orange residents Rick Cryder and Jeannine Lawrie. In recent
 weeks, public support has propelled the project forward in design, funding,
 volunteer help and city approval.

 The community response has been very positive and the city has changed the
 park's location plans from the El Modena Basin to the more centrally located
 Yorba Park, said Greg Warren, analyst for community and library services.

 "Yorba Park is the best place to have a dog park," said Councilman Dan Slater,
 who initiated the change in location. 

 When the park was planned for the El Modena Basin, nearby residents
 complained of the parking, noise and sanitary impact.

 Located along a flood channel, the basin is subject to flooding. The west end of
 Yorba Park, on the other hand, is farther from residential neighborhoods and
 less likely to draw noise complaints.

 Located near the Costa Mesa (55) Freeway, traffic would drown out the noise
 of barking dogs, Slater said.

 Unlike the El Modena Basin, Yorba Park has parking, bathrooms, water
 fountains and lighting. Finally, the cost for fencing the dog park would be about
 $10,000 less at Yorba Park.

 The Orange Dog Park Association is responsible for the cost of fencing and
 maintenance related to dog waste pick-up. The city will cover ordinary trash and
 lawn maintenance. The association plans to raise more than the $15,000 needed
 to get the park up and running, said Lawrie. They plan to renovate the park's
 existing concession stand to reopen it and generate revenue.

 "We also want to plant a few more larger trees around the borders of the dog
 park to shade the picnic tables, so the people could socialize while the dogs are
 running," Cryder said. Their plans include monthly community events such as
 obedience classes, agility training, low-cost vaccines, health and nutrition clinics
 and canine tournaments.

 The Orange Dog Park Association has gathered a core of 30 volunteers to
 help with the cause. They are seeking sponsorship from local veterinarians, pet
 shops and dog food corporations. They will also have a booth at the
 International Street Fair where they will sell $15 T-shirts, Lawrie said.

 Local volunteer Dennis Smock has created a website for the group at
 www.our-world. cs.com/odpa1/.

 "I'm sure there are some people who think a dog park isn't necessary or that dog
 people are nuts, but our pets are part of the family too, and leashes aren't always
 fair," Smock said.

 The dog park has been a "long time coming," said Councilman Mike Alvarez.