By SUSAN PARK

The Parks Department intends to proceed with plans to create an off-leash dog area at Northacres Park in North Seattle's Haller Lake neighborhood.

According to Parks Department official Margaret Anthony, the department believes opposition to the off-leash area is coming from a few not-in-my-backyard individuals, and not the wishes of the Haller Lake neighborhood, despite protests from members of the Haller Lake Community Club.

The Northacres site was selected by the department two years ago as one of 10 pilot sites throughout the city, but construction was delayed at the Northacres site until funding could become available.

Opponents to the plan say Northacres is the only remaining standing forest on park property in North Seattle. They have also noted that plant life has been virtually decimated at many of the off-leash sites currently in use.

Volunteer park steward, Carolyn Crockett says that when she agreed to considering an off-leash area at North Acres, it was before any others had been built. Now that plant destruction is evident at other off-leash areas, she is no longer in favor of placing one in the forested area of the park.

City Councilman Peter Steinbrueck, a Pinehurst/Haller Lake resident, has publicly stated in a letter to the Haller Lake Community Club that he is adamately opposed to locating an off-leash area at Northacres, and that he would work to address the problem.

City Councilman Richard Conlin has requested that protestors come up with an alternative site equal in size and close by. Anthony says that even if an alternative site is found, "you'd have to convince the C.O.L.A. (Citizens for Off-Leash Areas) people." Anthony adds that she feels plant destruction would be minimal.

Alternative sites include the grassy area at North Acres Park, the southwest corner of Jackson Park Golf Course (which is also part of the Seattle Parks Department), Ingraham High School, Bitter Lake, and any of the right of ways beside the highway at 130th N.

Those also interested in expressing their views should write:

Dewey Potter, Seattle Parks and Recreation Department, 100 Dexter Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109-5199.

They can also contact Steinbrueck at 684-8804.