A private citizen is offering his services to city officials in hopes of bringing a dog park to Los Ba&#241;os.</p><p>Bret Hendrickson told the City Council last week that he is willing to volunteer his time to help find an inexpensive way to get a park built. He said he never gave much thought to a dog park. Then he took the family pet to one after reading that the city tabled a $162,000 proposal for such a facility. </p><p>"I took him to the one over in San Jose. There was maybe two trees. There were no benches and no running water, but he had a great time anyway with the other dogs," Hendrickson said. </p><p>In October council members were presented with a proposal for a 1.2 acre dog park at Los Ba&#241;os Municipal Airport. The plan included trees, water fountains, benches, see-saws, competition tunnels, waste disposals, mutt stations and a sectioned off area segregating large and small dogs.</p><p>Hendrickson proposed a scale-down version that would only require fencing be placed at an existing park.</p><p>"Rather than picking up a piece of property at the airport, why don't we find a park somewhere in the city ... where the park's not being used?" Hendrickson asked. "Ranchwood Park I think would be a perfect park. There's an area in the back that's got fences already there. The water was there because there was a drinking fountain."</p><p>Hendrickson said fencing will also restrict juvenile access to the darkest part of Ranchwood Park.</p><p>"At nighttime that's where all the kids go. I live across from the park, so I know that's where all the kids hang out," he said.</p><p>Hendrickson said he believes his plan would also work for many other under-used parks in Los Ba&#241;os. </p><p>Mayor Tommy Jones said the city is not going to spend money on a dog park right now because of its current economic condition. But, he said, Councilwoman Anna Brooks and others are willing to seek private funding for the facility.</p><p>Brooks will be leaving the council to pursue a Master of Business Administration degree after this month's election results are certified. However, she said she is excited that the mayor will continue to let her pursue funding for a dog park. Brooks acknowledged that she will have more time to request donations because she won't be on the council.</p><p>She too is aware of the reality of the city's budget and the economy in general. However, she is not discouraged.</p><p>"It's better to try than to not, that's all I can say," Brooks said. </p><p>Enterprise staff writer Corey Pride can be reached at 388-6563 or cpride@losbanosenterprise.com