Paw Park approved by Lindsay council

During their meeting Tuesday night, the Lindsay City Council approved funding for a dog park in collaboration with the Lindsay Kiwanis Club. The dog park, which has been adorably dubbed as the Paw Park, could open for public use as early as the end of March.

Lindsay Fire and Police Chief Rick Carrillo and leaders from city staff presented the concept for the dog park to the council, saying that a dog park of this manner could cost an exorbitant amount. However, with support from the local Kiwanis Club, the requested city contribution totaled roughly $6,000. A large part of the city’s contribution would cover the purchase and installation of the park’s fencing.

After noticing many people used the area around the Lindsay Wellness Center to walk their dogs, Carrillo and staff began brainstorming ideas for a dog park in the same area. The conclusion they came up with is to construct a dog park at the Sports Complex, in the corner of Elmwood Street and Tulare Avenue, which wouldn’t encroach on the neighboring soccer fields.

The concept included a split dog park, one side being utilized for large dogs while the other would be used by the smaller dogs. There would be access to the park for both the public and City maintenance, benches for dog owners to use while their dogs play in the park, and water services would be connected for drinking stations. Carrillo and his team addressed ADA compliance throughout the dog park and explained that most of the construction labor would be covered by volunteers.

Carrillo stated that he spoke with the two adjacent houses that would potentially be affected and they had nothing but a positive response to the park idea and location.

“This dog park is going to improve the quality of life all the way around,” said Lindsay Mayor Hipiloto Cerros.

When it went to Council vote, the Paw Park was unanimously approved. Carrillo stated that the tentative grand opening for the Paw Park would be March 28th at 5:15 p.m.

“I’m very happy to see that the city and Kiwanis and all the other non-profit organizations are coming to a consensus to all of us work together,” said

Councilmember Rosaena Sanchez.

Carrillo didn’t only present the dog park to the council, he also requested the Council approve the formation of a reserve police officers program on Tuesday evening. Carrillo explained that through the program, reserve officers would work with Lindsay police officers during the last third of their academy training. Reserve officers would be in uniform with a reserve officer badge, and would be given the same powers as the Lindsay officers they work with while in uniform. Reserve officers in the program would receive a stipulation of $100 a month, and if called out to special events reserve officers would be paid the current minimum wage.

Carrillo said that a benefit of this program would be having officers ready to recruit to the Lindsay Police Department upon graduation from the academy, and the program provides some look into how a reserve officer will perform once a part of the Lindsay police force.

“We have staff that will be able to see their work ethic and, if they’re performers and we have a vacancy, we’ll have somebody that we’ve invested in,” said Carrillo.

Carrillo said he intends to partner with the police academy program at Porterville College in order to pin potential Lindsay police officers at their graduations. He also stated that a similar program will come before the council in the near future for the fire department.

The council unanimously approved the reserve police officer program.

In other Lindsay City Council news:

The council approved special event permits for Orange Blossom festivities including the coronation of the Orange Blossom queen on March 25th at City Hall, and the Kiwanis Pancake breakfast, Orange Blossom parade and festival on April 1st

The council waived the associated fees with the Orange Blossom special event permits

The council was introduced to Lindsay Police Corporal Matt Mcmillan

The council formed a sign ordinance ad hoc committee and appointed Cerros and Sanchez to the council representative spots

The council set a special meeting for April 22nd at 8:30 a.m. to tour the city’s water and sewer facilities

The next meeting of the Lindsay city council is scheduled for March 14th.