Upfront
El Camino Park (continued from page 3)
Renderings courtesy of the City of Palo Alto
lacrosse, a grass field for softball, pathways in the north and 26 new parking spaces (bringing total number to 68). But it was the dog park that proved the most controversial proposal. The Parks and Recreation Commission had endorsed all the improvements except the one for dogs and the expanded parking lot, arguing that the city shouldn’t spend nearly all the funds in its $2.8 million park-development-fees fund on one project. Park development fees are collected from developers for the purpose of improving parks, as compensation for the increased demand for city facilities and services that new residential and commercial buildings bring. The dog run, which would be the size of half a football field, would include a wood-chip base, benches, a water fountain for humans and a special spigot for dogs, according to Daren Anderson, the project manager.
The dog run at El Camino Park in Palo Alto would be located to the far left, past Alma Street. Holman and Price both opposed the project, though for differing reasons. Holman argued that the dog run’s proposed location on the north side near San Francisquito Creek would make it a difficult place for dog owners to reach. “I wouldn’t take my dog there because I think it’s poor access for a dog park,� Holman said.
For Price, money was the swaying factor. Given the city’s limited resources, she said, the council should defer its discussion of a dog park “to a future time when we can complete environmental (analysis) and identify the appropriate funding.� But others argued the city shouldn’t let the opportunity for a
new dog park slip away. Councilman Larry Klein said the city is not a dog-friendly one, despite the huge number of dog owners. Deferring the project, Klein said, creates a likelihood that it would never happen. “I think this is an exciting opportunity to get an excellent community asset completed,� Klein said.
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“Yes, it’s expensive, but we have an opportunity here that we don’t have elsewhere, so we should spend the park-impact fees.� Klein’s colleagues agreed, though with some reservations. The project is complicated by the anticipated relocation of MacArthur Park restaurant, which stands nearby at 27 University Ave. The city is working with philanthropist John Arrillaga on a proposal
‘Yes, it’s expensive, but we have an opportunity here that we don’t have elsewhere.’
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—Larry Klein, councilman, Palo Alto
to build an office building and a theater at the restaurant’s site, which would necessitate a relocation of the historic Julia Morgandesigned building that once served as a meeting point for families of World War I soldiers. Greg Betts, Palo Alto’s director of community services, said Monday the city is evaluating three new locations for the historic building: the former Camp Fremont on Willow Road in Menlo Park; the Palo Alto Municipal Golf Course, where it would replace the current clubhouse; and El Camino Park. Though the project is still in an early conceptual phase, several members said Monday they were hesitant to sign off on the proposed El Camino Park improvements while the fate of MacArthur Park remains up in the air. “What’s to say that a major building there wouldn’t call for a major redesign of the park which wasn’t on the table when we first started going with these plans,� Councilman Sid Espinosa said. “I have difficulty reconciling these plans.� Ultimately, however, he sided with the council majority. He referred to the city’s prior commitment to pursue spaces for dogs during park renovations. “If we don’t put it in now, we won’t get it, so I think it’s good to take that bold step and make that commitment,� Espinosa said. N Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner can be emailed at gsheyner@ paweekly.com.