The number of dog parks in California is growing, with more than 80 so far.

The phenomenon may be simply demographic.

The SPCA estimates that some 16,000 dogs live in Santa Cruz County. But Watsonville recreation director Pat Donohue has seen a formula used in San Francisco — one dog for every child — that would put the number at 10,000 in that city alone.

All around the county, dog owners have begun to ask for a place to take their canine pets to run free — and so far, officials seem to be listening.

In June, Santa Cruz residents persuaded the city recreation commission to consider a dog park on DeLaveaga Park Road. In July, Scotts Valley City Councilman Cliff Barrett asked his colleagues to consider a dog park for city property on Erba Lane. Watsonville’s parks commission also is looking at possible sites for a dog park.

Pensinger, 44, got a Jack Russell terrier — the breed featured on the TV show "Frasier" — a year ago. She found herself taking "Capitola Jack" to Lighthouse Field in Santa Cruz to run because dogs aren’t allowed in Capitola’s parks or beaches.

She suspects some dog owners are getting mixed messages and therefore ignoring the law. For example, at Peery Park behind the Nob Hill shopping center, there is a "poop bag" station along with a sign that says "no dogs."

Giving dogs a place to go enables the animals to exercise and dog owners to socialize, creating an important support network, Pensinger explained.

A Web site developer who ran the Santa Cruz Technology Alliance for five years, Pensinger has taken to the Internet to make her case. She has a Web site where dog owners can e-mail feedback at www.capitola.com/dogs/pawpark.html

The property she proposes for a dog park is owned by the city and is furnished with picnic tables. She suggests the dog area be located to the rear of the property, although it is close to a residential neighborhood. Fencing the area could cost $5,000 to $10,000, which Pensinger hopes could be funded during budget discussions next year. Dog owners could help raise the money, she added.

In Watsonville, city officials nixed the idea of a dog park at Crestview Park after neighbors said it would be incompatible with children playing there. One problem was that the area was too small, about one-third of an acre.

Other sites under study are the city property near the animal shelter or the Buena Vista park, a 37-acre property proposed for annexation.

If there is opposition in Capitola, Pensinger suspects it will come from people complaining about dog poop or noise. She has an answer to those concerns.

"We pledge to pick up after ourselves and others," she promised.Pensinger also proposed that unruly dogs be banned until they get training and that "peer patrols" be formed to educate dog owners about their responsibilities.

The Capitola City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at City Hall, 420 Capitola Ave.

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