By SUSAN PARK

Smack dab in the middle of upper North Seattle is the planned site for a new off-leash dog area. The site will be located directly off I-5 and NE 130th in the eastern half of Northacres Park in the Haller Lake neighborhood.

Seattle Parks and Recreation officials held a public meeting and tour of the site on September 23. A large crowd of citizens attended, including members of COLA, Citizens for Off-Leash Areas.

A main entrance will be placed at the south end with an information kiosk. A four-foot chain link fence will surround the area. An additional entrance will be at the north end, accessible only by walking. Dog owners will be required to carry pooper scoopers. Volunteers from COLA will spread wood chips to control dust and mud.

The site was approved two years ago as one of ten pilot sites. Construction was delayed until the $25,000 necessary funding was acquired.

Eight other pilot sites are located at Woodland Park, Golden Gardens, Magnuson Park, Volunteer Park (two sites), Blue Dog Pond, Genesee Park, and Westcrest Park.

Because of its I-5 location, the Northacres site will be easily accessible to dog owners as far north as Shoreline. The siting has brought mixed reaction from the Haller Lake neighborhood residents.

Northacres Park has recently gained the reputation as a local meeting place for illegal activities. While the idea of allowing dogs was first considered two years ago as a possible detraction to crime, there are now concerns over the impact the dogs will have on sensitive, native plant life. Northacres is the only remaining standing forest on park property in North Seattle. Plant life was virtually decimated at many of the pilot areas.

In addition, neighbors are questioning the validity of having such a large off-leash area in such a small park. There are concerns that additional park land will be paved over for more parking.

Parks official Dewey Potter is accepting comments by fax at 233-7023.