A proposed off-leash dog park to be built near the Cedars neighborhood had property owners barking concerns at Monday night’s city council meeting.

Though residents were not denying the need for a dog park, they felt the proposed location near the catch basin area may be too small or too remote. Councilwoman Dominique Emerson suggested the idea of building a fenced dog park area in the city at a meeting on July 18 in an effort to keep tourists with their dogs in town. Councilman Thomas Gill suggested the catch basin area at the Cedars as a possible location for the park, due to it having a large retention pond area with no water in it.

The project is currently in a discussion phase.

One resident said he was concerned that the proposed area would be too small, as he measured the potential size as being 110 feet long by about 60 feet wide.

Mike Becker, another Cedars resident, was also concerned that park may be inadequate in providing dogs enough space to roam.

Mayor Tim Callison said that finding bigger locations will be difficult.

“We don’t have a lot of large parcels that belong to the city to rent out, so when we start looking, there’s not many to choose from,” Callison said.

Karen Wisont, also a Cedars resident, said she was not opposed to a dog park in Langley, but that there are already three official off-leash areas at Double Bluff, Marguerite Brons Dog Park in Bayview and Patmore Pit in Coupeville. She was also concerned about the maintenance of the dog park, or lack thereof. Wisont said she used to take her kids to the Cedars Playground, but stopped after they were poked with too many splinters.

“While I do appreciate that we want to be a dog friendly community, as a parent of younger children, I want to make sure we’re a children-friendly community,” Wisont said. “Providing yet another place where children couldn’t go I don’t think serves that.”

Cedars resident Pam Becker suggested the council not use a chain-link fence around the park.

“I would also consider the homes directly across from there and what they have to look at everyday,” Becker said.

Callison said a fence may be too costly to build anyway, and that it is not currently in the city’s budget.

“We’re going to continue to have dialogue on the issue and look at other sites as well,” Callison said.

Other concerns included a lack of available parking in the area, proximity of the park to the Cedars Playground, excess noise and dog waste in a small space and excess fecal bacteria near a stormwater collection area.

Emerson said after the meeting that she appreciated the input from residents, and agreed that another location may be more suitable for a dog park. The goal, she said, will be to find a centralized location that is accessible for both tourists and older citizens.

“Almost everyone in Langley has a dog and they walk their dogs all the time,” Emerson said. “People want to be walking and the idea is to not get in your car and go somewhere. The idea is to walk somewhere, stay healthy, exercise your pet and be accessible, especially as we age.”

Councilwoman Rene Neff said the council and city will use comments from the public in identifying other suitable locations.

“This is a discussion that has been brought up as a need, so we’re looking for areas to think about whether or not we could fit one in,” Neff said. “All of your comments are very pertinent and I appreciate very much that you came in and voiced your opinion. We’re just in the beginning stages of thinking about it and how it would look. This is why we have a discussion so that we can hear what you think and your concerns.”