Rita Valentine Dog Park

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

Update (6/16/20):

Thank you to everyone who submitted comments and feedback regarding Rita Valentine Park improvements, including the proposed perimeter fencing project. At this time, the City is not moving forward with the perimeter fencing project. However, the City will be working with Steamboat Digs Dogs on other dog park improvements this summer, including:

  • Soft surface trail construction to replace the rutted muddy trails throughout the park.
  • Planting aspen trees to provide shade within the park.
  • Installing an irrigation system for the newly planted trees.
  • Gravel entry pad to replace the muddy entry and around the water fountain.
  • Limited entry fencing to provide a formal entry at the parking lot and back entrances to the park. This fencing is typical of what you see in all of our parks with 6x6 posts and 2x6 redwood planks, which will only be installed in short sections. This defined entry and fencing will provide an opportunity for signage to educate park users of the rules, helping protect dogs, visitors and wildlife.

Overview:

Rita Valentine Park has been an approved off-leash dog park since 2008. In the past year Steamboat Digs Dogs has rallied park users and the community to raise money for park improvements. They have also engaged landscape architects to explore several possible park improvements. One improvement that has already taken place is the installation of a drinking fountain, which was installed this past summer. Other improvements that are currently planned for the future, if funding becomes available, include an expanded and paved parking lot, a covered picnic shelter, trails, benches and fenced areas.

Currently the City and Steamboat Digs Dogs are pursuing fencing options for a portion of the park. The current conceptual park design developed by Steamboat Digs Dogs includes two phases, where phase one will include fencing approximately 15 acres of the 38 acre park. While some current park users don’t mind the lack of fencing, visitors have expressed concern over the lack of fencing, which many dog parks have. Fencing was also part of the original plans and intent of the park. Fencing portions of the park is identified in the Parks, Recreation, Open Space, Trails and River master plan, and after close observations and many community discussions during the off-leash trail period, the Parks and Recreation Commission has made providing a fenced dog park vs. off leash areas a priority. In addition, fencing portions of the park have been recommended by Colorado Parks and Wildlife to help mitigate conflicts between dogs and wildlife.

The proposed fence is one used in several other dog parks in Colorado. It is functional and not obtrusive in natural, open space areas. The City will be installing a small, temporary sample section of fencing in November of 2019, and is asking community members, neighbors, and park users to provide feedback. Let us know what you think of the proposed fencing by leaving your comments in the forum section below.

Update (6/16/20):

Thank you to everyone who submitted comments and feedback regarding Rita Valentine Park improvements, including the proposed perimeter fencing project. At this time, the City is not moving forward with the perimeter fencing project. However, the City will be working with Steamboat Digs Dogs on other dog park improvements this summer, including:

  • Soft surface trail construction to replace the rutted muddy trails throughout the park.
  • Planting aspen trees to provide shade within the park.
  • Installing an irrigation system for the newly planted trees.
  • Gravel entry pad to replace the muddy entry and around the water fountain.
  • Limited entry fencing to provide a formal entry at the parking lot and back entrances to the park. This fencing is typical of what you see in all of our parks with 6x6 posts and 2x6 redwood planks, which will only be installed in short sections. This defined entry and fencing will provide an opportunity for signage to educate park users of the rules, helping protect dogs, visitors and wildlife.

Overview:

Rita Valentine Park has been an approved off-leash dog park since 2008. In the past year Steamboat Digs Dogs has rallied park users and the community to raise money for park improvements. They have also engaged landscape architects to explore several possible park improvements. One improvement that has already taken place is the installation of a drinking fountain, which was installed this past summer. Other improvements that are currently planned for the future, if funding becomes available, include an expanded and paved parking lot, a covered picnic shelter, trails, benches and fenced areas.

Currently the City and Steamboat Digs Dogs are pursuing fencing options for a portion of the park. The current conceptual park design developed by Steamboat Digs Dogs includes two phases, where phase one will include fencing approximately 15 acres of the 38 acre park. While some current park users don’t mind the lack of fencing, visitors have expressed concern over the lack of fencing, which many dog parks have. Fencing was also part of the original plans and intent of the park. Fencing portions of the park is identified in the Parks, Recreation, Open Space, Trails and River master plan, and after close observations and many community discussions during the off-leash trail period, the Parks and Recreation Commission has made providing a fenced dog park vs. off leash areas a priority. In addition, fencing portions of the park have been recommended by Colorado Parks and Wildlife to help mitigate conflicts between dogs and wildlife.

The proposed fence is one used in several other dog parks in Colorado. It is functional and not obtrusive in natural, open space areas. The City will be installing a small, temporary sample section of fencing in November of 2019, and is asking community members, neighbors, and park users to provide feedback. Let us know what you think of the proposed fencing by leaving your comments in the forum section below.

Discussions: All (1) Open (0)