September 29, 2005

It’s a dog’s life

Jeffrey Fontana Dog Park grand opening draws enthusiastic
crowds—of both two-legged and four-legged variety

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Socializing just got a whole lot easier for the dogs of Almaden.

Jeffrey Fontana Dog Park officially opened with the snip of a ribbon on Saturday, Sept. 24. Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez, Councilmember Nancy Pyle, Parks, Assistant Police Chief Tuck Younis and Recreation Commission Member Melanie Richard-son and Jeffrey Fontana Dog Park Committee Member Cathy Randazzo were on hand to join in the grand opening celebration.

Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez, District 10 Councilmember Nancy Pyle, Sandy Fontana and District 4 Councilmember Chuck Reed hold the ribbon as Jeffrey Fontana Dog Park committee member Cathy Randazzo officially opens the park. Photos by Jeanne Carbone Lewis.

“This is a joyous occasion,” said Vice Mayor Chavez to the assembled crowd of about 75 humans and 50 of their four-legged friends. “One of the things when I think about gathering places in San Jose that are important is our parks. Many times we think of sacred places as churches but I think of sacred places as where you can celebrate companionship and friendship, where children and adults get to know their neighbors and get to learn from each other and I think there are few places as sacred as Jeffrey Fontana Park.”

“I’ll tell you why we need to have dog parks. Because dog parks have people owners and that means that parks are for people, too. I want to acknowledge the leadership of Nancy Pyle, the residents of Almaden Valley and former Vice Mayor Pat Dando in bringing this park to fruition,” added Vice Mayor Chavez.

The idea for Fontana Dog Park began innocently enough. Fontana Dog Park Committee member Randazzo shared that eight years ago she would bring her new dog, Genevieve, to Fontana Park [then Golden Oak] and meet up with a group of people who also brought their dogs. Friendships developed as neighbors got to know each other through their dogs. But some residents of the area, especially parents of young children, were unhappy that the animals were off their leashes in the park.

The Fontana Dog Park Committee was born when a group of these residents formed in hopes of creating a special place where their pooches could run free. Three years ago Almaden resident Ina Vaughn knocked on doors with a petition for a dog park and obtained 400 signatures and presented it to then Vice Mayor Dando. The committee and the City worked diligently, planning the new canine recreation area and enjoying the fruition of their efforts.

Pooches and their people had a tail-wagging time at the opening of Jeffrey Fontana Park.

“Isn’t this glorious?” asked Councilmember Pyle. “Great weather, great dogs and a wonderful park for them to enjoy themselves in. It’s great to see such cooperation working so beautifully together. I cannot give enough recognition to the group who got it started.”

The city maintenance schedule for the park is set for watering three minutes at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. during Daylight Saving Time and 2 p.m. during Pacific Standard Time. The dog park will be closed on alternate Fridays between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. for mowing and routine maintenance. The Fontana Dog Park Committee will support the Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services with maintenance projects such as fall reseeding and annual work projects in March.

“Use this as a place to get to know your neighbors and get to know other dogs,” said Randazzo. “And for those of you walking by know that these dogs are now safer and better behaved because they’re able to socialize.”

Fontana Dog Park is 15,400 square feet and features two dog areas, one for small and one for larger canines.

District 10 Councilmember Nancy Pyle greets a four-legged friend.

The two areas are gated and the pooches are allowed to run free. It has grassy areas, water and, of course, bags which owners are expected to use when necessary. And from the number of dogs and their guardians who attended the grand opening, the doggie recreation area is already a success.

After the ribbon cutting, a contest was held for the largest and smallest dog, and the dog that most resembled its owner to the amusement of officials and residents.

“I’ve been coming here since it opened,” said Barbara Nobler with cockapoo Teddi in tow. “You know everyone by the dogs there with. Its really good socialization for the dogs and it’s safe.”

Also in attendance for the celebration was Sandy Fontana. The park is named after her son Jeffrey, a San Jose Police Officer who tragically lost his life on a nearby street in 2001 during a routine traffic stop.