Final Decision on Lakeview Dog Park Tuesday

The Oakland City Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday on a proposed dog play area at Lakeview Park, then make a final decision on the controversial issue.

Proponents have been pushing for a dog park near the corner of Lakeshore Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard for years, but the Oakland Planning Commission turned down the idea in May. Backers of the park have appealed that decision to the city council.

The proposal calls for fencing about 21,000 square feet of what's currently lawn area near the Grand Lake Farmers Market, used as mainly as play space for children and for pick-up soccer games. It would be divided into areas for large and small dogs.

Opponents cite noise from barking dogs, aesthetics and loss of space for other activities.

Oakland presently has only five parks where dogs are allowed, whether leashed or not. Those are the:

1. Grove Shafter Dog Play Area,  Martin Luther King Jr. Way & 36th Street
2. Hardy Dog Play Area, 491 Hardy St. (under the Grove Shafter Freeway at Claremont Avenue.
3. Jefferson Dog Play Area, 618 Jefferson St.
4. Joaquin Miller Dog Play Area, 3590 Sanborn Drive
5. Mosswood Park Dog Play Area, 3612 Webster St.

The Oakland City Council meets Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.

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