Sac DOG's Interviews
These areas are unfenced and off-leash
These interviews regarding off-leash areas were conducted in the summer of
2002. Mid-Peninsula Open Space District
Los Altos, CA
650-691-1200
http://www.mrosd@openspace.org
Conducted interviews with:
John Escobar, Assistant General Manager
jescobar@openspace.org, 650-625-6531
Kathleen Hart,
khart@openspace.org
Stephanie Jensen, Public Affairs, 650-691-1200
Midpenninsula OSD is 47,000 acres. Pulgas Ridge is a
16-acre preserve within the Mid-Peninsula OSD that is off-leash, all the
time.
Kathleen Hart: MPOSD completed a study in
1983 regarding dogs' impact on wildlife, as well as a Dog Access Program
Evaluation Report in 1994. They surveyed many other preserves to
understand their dog access policies. Both reports resulted in a trial
period, then resulted in a permanent policy.
Stephanie Jensen: Tremendous community
resource - we are happy to offer our constituents this recreational
activity.
John Escobar: In 1996, Pulgas Off-Leash area
opened on a trial basis and one year later it was made permanent. Lots
of hikers without dogs enjoy Pulgas Ridge and there are no problems. The
only problems that arise are in areas where there is a leash law and
there's non-compliance. No complaints about bites or dogs taking down
any animals. No law suits. It's a great resource. Sometimes we get some
heat from environmental society, but it's insignificant.
"Education has been helpful - people improve their
habits when an effort is made to teach them the rules, such as pick up
after their dogs, regard wildlife, leash aggressive dogs. There are
problems with EVERY user group - we all need to play together." said
John Escobar.
Grizzly Island Wildlife Area
Suisun, CA, Solano County
http://suisunwildlife.org/grizzly.html
Conducted interview with:
Dennis Becker, Wildlife Biologist
707-425-3828,
grizzlyisland@dfg.ca.gov
8,600 acres. Dogs allowed in 99% of entire 8,600 acre
park
Restrictions: Hunting dogs only allowed during
hunting season: 10/15 to 1/30, 8/1 to 9/15 and not during nesting
season: 3/1 - 6/30.
No dogs are allowed in sensitive wildlife areas such as
tidal marshes, where birds like songbirds have longer nesting season.
No reported problems, people follow the rules.
Ambleside Dog Park
West Vancouver, BC
Conducted interview with:
Glen Minaker, Park Operations Manager
604-925-7133,
gminaker@westvancouver.net
Ambleside Dog Park is 8.7 acres and has been an official
dog park for 15 + years.
They provide the dog owners a safe place to run and
socialize their dogs. Situated next to the Capilano River and across
from Stanley Park, the area offers grassy meadows with shade trees and a
beach where dogs are permitted to swim.
They receive about 2 complaints per year from runners
who have had "dog encounters", and a few complaints per year about dogs
chasing ducks at the nearby golf course.
Marymoor Dog Park
Redmond, WA, King County Park System
http://www.soda.org
Conducted interview with:
Bobbi Wallace, Manager of Maintenance and Facilities
King County Parks Department, 206-296-4248
40 acres within the King County Park system: fields,
woods, river, beaches, paths, walkways and bridges.
This park was used for off-leash activity for more than
20 years, then in early 1990's there was a threat to deny access to
dogs. After public hearings, the King County Council voted unanimously
to recognize off-leash recreation as an "important and valuable use of
parkland" and designated Marymoor Dog Park as an off-leash area.
Community Group "SODA" works to improve and maintain
area. A video of a PBS Special will be shown at Supervisor's hearing.
East Bay Regional Parks District
http://www.ebparks.org
Conducted interview with:
Jerry Kent, Assistant General Manager for Operations
jkent@ebparks.org 510-544-2501
Mr. Kent has worked for EBRPD 35 years.
92,000 acres total: 50,000 in Alameda County and 42,000
acres in Contra Costa County; 50 regional parks, recreation areas,
wilderness, shorelines and preserves.
Dogs have been allowed off leash since 1974.
EBRP numbers: 4 million per year walk dogs, 14 million total use the whole
district.
They offer two kinds of parks; Open Space where dogs run
free, and Dog Exercise Areas where there's a fenced dog area.
Excerpt from East Bay Regional Parks District website:
www.ebparks.org
Dogs in the Regional Parks
Dogs are permitted in nearly all East Bay Regional Parks (see exceptions
below).
Dogs may:
Run at large within District parklands provided the owner, keeper, or
person exercising the dog(s) has a leash capable of fixed six-foot
length in their possession and keeps their animal(s) under control at
all times (see restrictions below). Dogs must not be allowed to
interfere with, bother, or harass park users, other animals, or
wildlife. If you are a party to a dog bite or dog attack incident, you
must stop and offer assistance and exchange information with the other
party/parties.
Dogs may be off-leash in open space and other
undeveloped areas* of parklands, provided they are under control at all
times. Owners must always carry a leash capable of fixed six-foot
length.
*Undeveloped areas are un-posted and unpaved trails or
open space areas that are separated from developed areas by a distance
of at least 100 yards or by fences.
Dogs must be leashed (six-foot maximum) and under
control at:
· parking lots and staging areas
· public roads open to vehicular traffic
· paved trails
· picnic areas and picnic sites
· lawns, turf areas or play fields
· developed areas
· decks and patios
· concession areas & facilities (snack stands, equipment rental areas,
etc.)
· equestrian centers unless posted "No Dogs"
· archery ranges
· gun and marksmanship ranges
· campgrounds
· any area posted "Dog on Leash"
Point Isabel Regional Shoreline is an exception to the
leash laws and has its own posted rules regarding dogs being off leash.
Point Isabel, East Bay Regional Parks District
Richmond, CA
Conducted interview with:
Dee Tilson, Parks Supervisor
510-235-1631
Ms. Tilson has been supervisor for the past 9 years.
Designated off leash since 1985. 21 acres entirely off
leash, 7 days per week, 6 AM to 10 PM.
Two trails, grassy areas, access to Bay for swimming.
Dee considers Point Isabel as EBRP's biggest success story. All off
leash - even picnic areas and parking lot. Infrequent problems, but if
there are, the dog owners exchange information like a fender bender.
Pt. Isabel easiest park to manage. Least amount of
graffiti, vandalism because folks want to take care of the park. HIGH
FREQUENCY - ½ million dogs per year!
Citizens group (PIDO) helps keep area clean. Fisherman
ok, but no bikes or horses.
There's a dog wash concession MUD PUPPIES that brings in
$100 K per year and EBR Parks gets 10%!
City of Walnut Creek, East Bay Regional Park District
Conducted interviews with:
Randy Hawley, Ranger Supervisor
925-943-5899, Ext. 135
Gwen Regalia, City Council member since 1987.
925-934-6313, gwenrwc@aol.com
City purchased open space in 1974 through a bond. The
dogs can be off leash in most of the open space areas off-leash. Lime
Ridge is the only area where it's not off-leash.
"It was forward thinking to purchase open space, and it
was forward thinking to allow dogs off-leash," said Councilwoman
Regalia.
Marin County Open Space District
San Rafael, CA
www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/PK/Main
Conducted interviews with:
Brian Sanford, Head Ranger
415-499-7473,
bsanford@co.marin.ca.us
John Reese, Marin Humane Society
415-506-6263,
jreese@marinhumanesociety.org
Off-leash dogs, equestrians and mountain bikers share
all fire roads.
All preserves are off-leash (25 preserves in MCOSD). The
problems are minimal, such as a dog too far away from its owner chased a
horse, and professional dog walkers sometimes walk 5 to 10 dogs off
leash that can intimidate a single hiker.
They have recently placed a maximum number of off-leash
dogs per person to three due to the professional dog walkers in Marin
County. Dogs not allowed in creeks, but dogs can swim in Ranch Pond in
Indian Valley.
Three Rivers Park District
Plymouth,
MN
Conducted interview with:
Beth Nash, Supervisor, Park Guest Services
bnash@threeriversparkdistrict.org, 763-559-9000
Beth Nash has been with the park district 10 years.
Three Rivers was created in 1983 - the first Dog Park in the Parks
District. The District has fenced and unfenced parks - Beth understands
the problems of small, fenced dog parks - they are not for everyone nor
for every dog.
Wildlife: The District does not think dogs off-leash
create any more of a problem than any other recreational use. They
believe dog park impact is comparable to a picnic area.
Also stated that nesting birds are smart enough to go to
areas where dogs and humans aren't running around.
They have very few problems. No incidents of children
being bitten or frightened. Their sign reads "No Unsupervised Children"
In 20 years, no major injuries to humans. They stress training, having
control over dogs, not letting them bother other dogs.
Summit Ranger District
Pinecrest CA, Tuolome County
Conducted interview with:
Bob Wetzel, Ranger Ext. 5369 209-965-3434
Dogs may be off leash in the wilderness area if they are
under "strong" voice control.
Dogs must be leashed in campgrounds.
No problems.
Laurel Canyon Dog Park
Los Angeles, CA
"Companions in the Park" Report by Jennifer R. Wolch and
Stacy Rowe
20 acres public park within City of Los Angeles.
Pilot program in 1988 with dogs allowed off leash before
10 am and after 3 pm so as not to interfere with other park users.
Eventually in 1990, the program became permanent with the City Council
promising to build more dog parks in LA.
Presence of dogs with people help keep a once graffiti
and crime-ridden park clean and safe.
Solano County Farmlands and Open Space
Conducted interview with:
Karen Hellar, Administrator
707-432-0150,
www.solanolandtrust.org
Completely off-leash with some restrictions. Privately
owned land.
No problems.
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