Randi Briggs asks (Oct. 21), "If anyone knows of a possible site in Port Townsend" for a dog park, instead of near the Jefferson County Airport.

The southeastern-most acre (of 75 acres) of Kah Tai Lagoon parkland, next to Chase Bank on Sims Way, supporting only scattered poplars and grass since the 1964 dredge-and-fill, doesn't approach "wildlife habitat" status.

Despite a central location, this overlooked piece of ground hasn't attracted the least use by people, birds or animals. Its inclusion in the park could be called an accident of 1880s street platting.

Enclose with a "snow" or other fence and presto, an all-hours dog park accessible to hundreds via existing public footpaths, convenient to Safeway and Food Co-op shoppers, and especially accessible to the Boat Haven community of liveaboards and visitors; right across the way from a main point-of-arrival, the Port Townsend Visitors Center, with existing parking. Seek permission from Chase Bank for use of its adjacent lot during non-banking hours. The location is more frequently served by Jefferson Transit than the once-per-hour remote airport site.

It could be a featured place for dogs at the center of town life.

No land needs to be acquired. No residential neighbors to object to noise or activity. City water can be brought from the nearby main.

Dog parks don't have to be traffic generators. SR 20 is already crowded; so why necessitate driving a number of miles so that the dog can run or walk? How many (or few) will commit extra time to round-trip to an airport site by car, or bus?

Make it possible for people and pets to walk from home to the exercise area.

A dog park within an existing park? What a concept.

FOREST SHOMER

Port Townsend