To the Rollingwood Parks Commission and City Council:
We, the undersigned residents of Rollingwood, Texas, hereby petition the Rollingwood Parks Commission to recommend, and the City Council to approve, the creation of a dedicated, separate dog park at Hatley Field. This initiative, supported by the Rollingwood Dog Park Alliance, aims to resolve ongoing conflicts between dog park users and youth sports programs by providing a safe, enclosed space exclusively for dogs, while restoring Hatley Fields 3, 4, and 5 to their primary use for organized youth athletics, as intended by the original land deed from the Optimist's Club.
Background and Rationale:
● WHEREAS, Hatley Field (Rollingwood Park) was originally dedicated for youth sports and recreational purposes, with priority given to baseball, softball, football, and soccer for children in the Eanes Independent School District, per the 1993 warranty deed;
● WHEREAS, the current shared use of Fields 3, 4, and 5 as a dog park during
designated hours was only recently allowed by the City beginning in 2017, and has led to field damage (e.g., urine burns, digging, and waste residue), safety concerns (e.g., parasites (including roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, giardia, cryptosporidium, and tapeworms), bacteria (including campylobacter, salmonella, and leptospirosis), viruses, other zoonotic diseases, allergens and potential conflicts), and reduced availability for little league practices and games;
● WHEREAS, Rollingwood's growing pet-owning community deserves a high-quality, dedicated off-leash area to promote responsible dog ownership, exercise, and
socialization without compromising youth sports facilities;
● WHEREAS, a separate dog park—potentially in an underutilized portion of Hatley Field or adjacent land—would enhance community harmony, boost park usage, and align with the city's commitment to balanced recreational opportunities;
● WHEREAS, this proposal will be discussed at the Parks Commission meeting on
November 18, 2025, providing an opportunity for timely action.
Petition Request:
THEREFORE, we urge the Parks Commission to place this item on the agenda for the
November 18, 2025, meeting and recommend to the City Council the following:
1. Designate and develop a fenced, separate dog park area at Hatley Field, equipped with amenities such as waste stations, benches, and shade.
2. Revert Hatley Fields 3, 4, and 5 to use primarily for youth sports, as well as other
compatible human-oriented recreational activities, eliminating dog park hours to
preserve the fields's condition and prioritize children's activities.
3. Allocate necessary funds from the RCDC budget or seek grants/community donations for the dog park construction. By signing below, we affirm our support for this balanced solution that benefits both pet owners and families in Rollingwood.