During festivals and other large events at Lakewood Park, the parking spaces closest to Lakewood Dog Park are often completely occupied by event attendees.

In some cases, vehicles are also parked in designated accessible parking spaces without displaying the required permit or license plate. When parking rules are ignored, people with disabilities may be unable to use the spaces specifically reserved for their access.

This situation also makes it difficult and sometimes unsafe for people trying to use the dog park. Dog owners may be forced to park far away and walk through crowded parking areas while handling large dogs, multiple dogs, senior dogs, small dogs, or dogs that may become anxious around crowds.

The lack of enforcement allows some visitors to disregard posted parking rules and use spaces intended for dog park visitors or people with disabilities. This creates safety, accessibility, and fairness concerns for the entire community.

Lakewood Dog Park is a public facility, and visitors should continue to have reasonable and safe access to it even when another event is taking place nearby.

We respectfully ask the City of Leander to:

• Reserve a limited number of parking spaces near the dog park entrance exclusively for dog park visitors during festivals and special events.

• Install clear signs identifying these spaces as dog park parking only.

• Enforce accessible parking regulations and issue warnings or citations when vehicles are parked in these spaces without proper authorization.

• Consider creating a free registration program that provides dog owners with a parking tag, sticker, or mirror hanger for their vehicle.

• Ask event staff or parking attendants to help keep the reserved and accessible spaces available for the people who are authorized to use them.

This request is not intended to interfere with festivals or prevent anyone from enjoying Lakewood Park. We are simply asking the City to enforce existing parking rules and protect safe and reasonable access to the dog park.

Reserving a small number of nearby parking spaces and enforcing accessible parking regulations would be a simple and practical solution that improves safety, accessibility, and fairness for all park visitors.

Please support this petition and ask the City of Leander to establish a permanent parking and enforcement policy for Lakewood Dog Park during festivals and other high attendance events.