On Monday March 26, 2018, in the City Council Chambers, the Parks & Recreation Commission met. A report of Bub Williamson Park renovation was given by the Assistant City Manager, Tony Winney. He explained the architectural design which included an off-leash area for dogs and the public also spoke on this topic.
By a wide margin, more citizens spoke against including the dog park in the plans to renovate. There was a motion to accept the Bub Williamson Park concept as presented excluding the dog park by Commissioner
Norm Halus. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Steve Rhoades. The vote was two yes and two no. The motion failed. This means the Parks & Recreation Commission has no formal recommendation to the City Council.
The decision to include the dog park, or not, will be decided at the May 7th City Council meeting.
The other dog issue, was to allow off-leash at Buena Vista Park. The discussion was lead by Parks and Recs Director, Therron Dieckmann. Again the majority of citizens spoke against allowing dogs off-leash at the park.
There was a motion to expand off-leash dog hours at South Buena Vista Park to all operating hours, not just morning and evening, by Commissioner Norm Halus. There would continue to be no off-leash hours at Buena Vista Park. The motion was seconded by Steve Rhodes. The vote was two yes, one no, and one abstention. The motion passed. This means the Parks & Recreation Commission is recommending that the City Council amend Vista Municipal Code 12.14.010 to reflect this change at South Buena Vista Park off-leash hours.