Politics & Government

San Juan's Dog Park Mere Months Away

Tell Fido to hang on just a little bit longer.

Send it out on the Twilight Bark, San Juan Capistrano’s very own dog park is mere months away.

Construction may begin as early as Wednesday if the City Council approves Tuesday cordoning off its planned location in the Northwest Open Space from Oct. 17-Dec. 31.

To be called the Dr. Joe Cortese Dog Park after one of the city’s beloved veterinarians, the facility will cost $270,000 to build. However, the San Juan Capistrano Open Space Foundation will be picking up construction costs.

Find out what's happening in San Juan Capistranowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“[A]ssuming there are no weather-related delays, it is anticipated that the Dr. Joe Cortese Dog Park opening will be in January 2013,” wrote Open Space Foundation President Brad Gates in an Oct. 9 letter to the city.

In other news, the City Council is expected to:

Find out what's happening in San Juan Capistranowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Reject the idea of replacing or adding a laser display to the annual 4th of July firework show. City officials learned a full laser show can cost as much as $140,000 for 20 minutes. A smaller show on a screen back-drop with three-to-five colors can be as much as $40,000. Last year’s show cost $30,000 and the price was picked up entirely by sponsors.
  • Renew the lease on a temporary basis for Blenheim Facility Management, which operates the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park, a city-owned property. Under the agreement, Blenheim will pay less rent – from $225,000 to $200,000 a year – but provide security for the city’s newest park next door, Reata Park and Event Center.
  • Hear an update on how fast the city is implementing suggestions that came out of an audit of the city’s water department; the suggestion to update the rate study is being pushed back but will be done before July 2014.
  • Discuss the city’s laws as they pertain to campaign signs. Councilman Derek Reeve said the city’s laws restricting when, where and how many signs one can have may violate state and federal law

The City Council meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto in San Juan Capistrano.


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