2nd off-leash area in West Seattle? Unleash your support!

| High Point | Pets | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

That’s Sophia the Italian greyhound, aka the current CityDog Magazine cover dog, companion to Wendy and Stephen Hughes-Jelen. Wendy’s High Point K9 Club has a new mission = a second off-leash area for West Seattle (the only one right now is at Westcrest Park). She explains: “The High Point K9 Club is refocusing its mission to concentrate exclusively on the creation of an off-leash exercise area for dogs in the community. The meetup group that was founded in August of 2007 will be purging inactive members so that all current active participants in the off-leash area project are plugged in and receiving communications as we go through the steps of this large project. You do not have to live within the borders of the redeveloped High Point to participate or use the off-leash area. People and their social dogs living in the surrounding communities are welcome to join and participate in the creation process and use of the park after it is done. If you have always wanted to design and build a dog park, we need you!” Just sign up for the group by going here.

Kristina April 7, 2009 (7:15 am)

I can’t take on another cause, no matter how excellent, right now, but I am delighted at the prospect of another dog park. I no longer go to Westcrest because of some of the problems there, and my dog would LOVE to run around unleashed somewhere besides our back yard.

GreenSpaces April 7, 2009 (8:23 am)

We’ve welcomed 7 new members to the High Point K9 Club since you ran this yesterday, Tracy. I appreciate the coverage as we could use some extra minds and bodies to create this new off-leash area!

We honestly have to thank Seattle Housing Authority, the developer and property owner, for agreeing to this use of the land. The property was set aside for a park anyway, but there was no intention to ever have an off-leash area. The developer has been very amenable to hearing our pleas for a place for healthy socialization for the large canine community here.

We welcome new members. I have scheduled another “walk and talk” for April 18th to bring new folks up to speed with the location and thoughts so far. It can be rescheduled if that conflicts with Earth Day activities (Earth Day is April 22nd). Please visit http://www.meetup.com/highpointk9club/ to get on board!

Wendy & Sophia

A Highpoint Owner April 7, 2009 (2:20 pm)

As one of the original people who bought in High Point, I am happy to hear that this dog park is becoming a reality. So many starting families moved into that area and this was a much needed item to be included in the community.

However, from an investment standpoint this is nor a very smart move. The home values at High Point have plummeted at such and alarming rate (seeing a $100,000 + loss on a $400,000 property in 18 months), while home owners dues have sky rocketed.

I get the feeling the the High Point “experiment” is going to implode on it’s well intentioned supporters. The people in that community who bought into phase 1 are in absolutely no shape to sell out without taking substantial losses. The Homeowners associations has increased it’s dues so that hiring additional security for the community was the first item on the agenda (that’s a very telling statement), as the HOA petitioner stated “because we all want our families to feel safe”.

The initial homeowners dues have doubled as the original incentives provided by the developers hid the cost for the first year. I cannot help but think that the maintenance of this off leash park will be carried by the very few actually contributing to the HOA Dues.

Me thinks the foreclosures beginning in this neighborhood will continue to make the property values continue to drop. This sounds like a week attempt to somehow attract another group into supporting the purchases as phase 2 and 3 go on the market.

HighPointDogWalker April 7, 2009 (4:30 pm)

yes yes yes yes yes westcrest is great but not enough to serve this dog crazy area

alki_2008 April 8, 2009 (3:56 am)

HP Owner brings up a great point. Who’s going to maintain the park, and where are the funds for that maintenance going to come from? I won’t be using that park, so won’t be attending the meetings…but the costs are definitely something to consider. Even if volunteers maintain the grounds, then I’m sure the HOA will need to tack something onto the dues to cover liability protection or something similar. It doesn’t sound like High Point residents will be getting this for free, and I’m sure those without dogs will NOT be thrilled if their HOA dues rise to get this going.

Stephanie April 9, 2009 (1:22 pm)

I have no idea how much this would cost so please don’t laugh at me. Could we do a sort of a “pay to play” entry system? We could have a key card system like the ones at some hotel swimming pools. Members could buy a key card to use at the park. Gets them in and keeps track of who’s using the park and how much. i.e. card costs $50; load it with $240=240 park visits; $120=120 park visits, etc… Enforcement would be tough, but you could just ask people to show there card if they say something like, “hold that door”. People would have to play nice and only come to the park if they have their card.