Park board says 'no' to lighting at new dog park
Money for lights not available in budget
By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District board of directors last week decided against installing lighting at the longawaited Big Sky Dog Park, which is slated for completion by February 2009.

The dog park, which will be on a 3-acre site overlooking the Big Sky softball complex on Lost Canyons Drive, was approved in July 2007 with a budget of $500,000 and no plan for nighttime lighting.

Ed Hayduk, assistant general manager of the park district, said the board is focused on completing construction of the park and, at this time, does not have the sufficient funding to install lighting- a project that could cost the district an additional $360,000.

"After the opening, we'll be monitoring the park to see if the lights are warranted," Hayduk said. "We could have a parking problem during softball season if we have lights. I want to be able to monitor it for a couple of years and see."

According to a staff report, the park district has received 13 emails and 19 telephone calls to date requesting that lights be installed at the park to allow those who work during the day to use it after dusk in the winter months.

Richard Falconer, a 12-year resident of Simi Valley, recently circulated notices in the community encouraging dog owners to contact the district regarding the installation of lights.

"Working people who have dogs are going to be shortchanged," Falconer said. "A lot of this goes back to a lack of futuristic planning. They're not making the dog park a real priority."

Hayduk said that in a survey taken of six area dog parks, only one- Conejo Creek Dog Park in Thousand Oaks- is lighted. The rest are typically open from dawn to dusk.

The Simi Valley Girls Softball season, which runs from February through May, has games at 6 p.m. on weekdays and all day Saturday. Park district staff has concerns that lighting the dog park would create an increase in traffic and parking demand on weeknights, Hayduk said.

"I'm a little disappointed," Falconer said. "I guess I'll be up there with my two dogs in January or February, and we'll see what happens from there."