A proposed redesign to Millbrae’s Bayside Manor Park will now include a pet area and exclude pickleball courts, the City Council decided at its May 28 meeting.
The park redesign will include a new playground, revamped lawn, trees and landscaping as well as a picnic area and basketball courts, city staff said. Modifications were made after community members raised concerns around potential noise from the pickleball courts.
The pet element of the new park design, located at the end of Lerida Avenue, would include separate off-leash areas for large to medium-sized dogs and small dogs.
“It’s nice to see we’re reacting to the community’s needs and modifying plans to suit their desires,” Councilmember Gina Papan said.
Some concerns were voiced about potential issues with a pet area, including dog noise, waste and parking and traffic concerns.
“What are we going to do about traffic, and how it’s going to impact people that live on that one little block of Lerida. We should have a plan for it — it’ll be, so far, the first official dog park in Millbrae,” Councilmember Ann Schneider said.
Schneider also advocated for the design to incorporate an environmentally resilient design, including purple pipe for recycled water and landscaping to absorb potentially hazardous particulate matter.
“We do it now or we increase asthma,” she said.
Creating a more aesthetically pleasing and intentional area for dogs would ideally reduce dog refuse and trash in the new space, Councilmember Angelina Cahalan said, and Papan advocated for dog agility equipment in the park.
The city rejected original bids in April, but a bid for construction of the new design will likely be selected by September and construction will begin in October.
