Proposed separate off leash dog area

[Kevin Glasheen]

Next council meeting: Wednesday, April 15, 7:00 PM (City Hall and via Zoom)
Last council meeting: March 25

Why this meeting matters: At the April 15 meeting we will consider creating a separate off‑leash dog area at Rollingwood Park and how to divide the fields. Currently the off‑leash area shares space with baseball fields 3, 4, and 5. We hope to get public input at the April meeting and then vote on this at the May council meeting.

Background

• The Park Commission has been working on redesigning the parking lot by the ball fields and planning a new sprinkler system.
• The Rollingwood Community Development Corporation (RCDC) has been asked to consider funding those improvements.
• During that process, community members urged a solution to the long‑standing shared‑use conflict between baseball and the off‑leash area.
• The Park Commission engaged landscape architect Curt Arnette and received significant volunteer contributions from Alex Robinette (who designed the field house retaining wall) and the Parks Commission guided by Parks Chair Mellissa Morrow. There have been many public hearings and substantial public input.

What the community agrees on

• The parking lot needs reconstruction, and the proposed parking plan is supported.

You can see the parking lot plan here:

L2 4-9-26.pdf

• The park needs a new sprinkler system.
• We should consider creating a dedicated off‑leash dog area by adding the North Parking area to fields 3–5 and dividing that combined space between the off‑leash area and the ball fields.
• There is probably enough room to maintain adequate baseball fields while providing a separate off‑leash area, including keeping the walking trail on the north side.
• The off‑leash area should be large enough to maintain natural grass (not dirt, gravel, or artificial turf).

Remaining questions

Should we move forward with separating the shared use fields by creating a separate off leash dog area?

If so, how large should the off‑leash area be, and how should the combined space be divided between ball fields and dog use?

Options under consideration The Park Commission has developed three site plan options for discussion (no final decisions yet). City Council will decide whether to move forward with a separate off‑leash area and, if so, which site plan to adopt.

PDFs of proposed off-leash site plan options – press control and click to follow the link

Version A - 4-7-26.pdf

Version B - 4-7-26.pdf

Version C - 4-7-26.pdf

How to participate

• Email comments to: citysecretary@rollingwoodtx
• Attend the April 15 City Council meeting in person at City Hall (7:00 PM)
• Join by Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5307372193?pwd=QmNUbmZBQ1lwUINjNmk5RnJrelRFUT09

Notes on process and timing

• An earlier anonymous “poll” caused confusion; it was not approved by the City Commission or City Council and included options not under consideration. Please respond through the channels above.
• If Council directs staff to proceed, we hope to vote in May on whether to adopt a specific site plan. Funding sources, detailed costs, and construction specifics would be addressed after Council approves a site plan.
• The Park Commission meets Tuesday (the day before Council) and may forward additional information to Council. Expect another update before the May City Council meeting with any new developments.

We welcome your input—please tell us whether you support a separate off‑leash area and, if so, which option you prefer or whether you have an alternative proposal.