Last month, we reported on the recent draft proposal by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) that would drastically reduce or eliminate off-leash recreation areas on San Francisco coastline owned by the National Parks Service (NPS).
For many of us active city dog-walkers, whether professional or strictly recreational, never again being able to play on the beach with our canine companions while gazing in awe at the Golden Gate Bridge is a devastating prospect.
A coalition of concerned parties called Eco-Dog (www.eco-dog.org), in conjunction with the San Francisco SPCA, convened a meeting on February 8 to discuss the dog community’s concerns and potential strategies for opposing the new GGNRA regulations. Bay Woof staff was in attendance, along with a standing-room-only crowd of environmentalist dog lovers who listened intently and asked questions for over three-and-a-half hours. Large maps were on display showing the current dog-allowable areas, juxtaposed to maps of the best-case scenario under consideration by the GGNRA.
Sadly, off-leash canine recreation would be seriously curtailed if the new rules go into effect. Key examples are Ft Funston, Ocean Beach, and Crissy Field. Currently, less than 15% of National Park space in these areas is designated off-leash; under the GGNRA’s proposed plan, this already minimal space would be reduced to leash-only in the parking lot and perhaps a few trails. Many believe that the implementation of these new rules would be first giant step towards eliminating all canines on the coast. (For more details of the 1,000-page draft plan, go to http://parkplanning.nps.gov/dogplan.)
A flyer sponsored by SF DOG, Ocean Beach DOG, Save Off-Leash Dog Walking in the SF Bay Area, Fort Funston Dog Walkers, and San Francisco ProDog (among others) was distributed, which included a list of all city supervisors and their contact info. Tuesday, February 15, was a designated call-in day to the city supervisors about the issue, and apparently it was effective.
Currently, less than 15% of National Park space in these areas is designated off-leash; under the GGNRA’s proposed plan, this already minimal space would be reduced to leash-only in the parking lot and perhaps a few trails.
At least one San Francisco Supervisor, Scott Wiener, has taken the matter seriously. According to SFGate.com, “Wiener is gathering information to include in possible legislation regarding our current leash laws.” His efforts are supported by local dog advocates who agree with him that if dogs are not allowed to run with the pack in our large open spaces, smaller local parks will be over run. This will cost the city in increased maintenance, not to mention the increased risk of undesirable conflicts due to crowded conditions.
According to Angela Gardner of SF ProDog (a professional dog-walkers association), when a similar issue arose five years ago, city officials threatened to take back the land that had been given to the NPS “for recreational use,” and this held them at bay, at least until now. Maybe we really DO need to take it back. But many believe that if the GGNRA policy remained as it is currently, both the NPS and city budgets could be spared.
What can you do? Stay tuned to www.eco-dog.org for ongoing action alerts and make your voice heard. When you communicate with the GGNRA and others, be respectful in your tone and provide reasoned responses to specific points rather than an emotional appeal. You can email comments via http://parkplanning.nps.gov/dogplan. The time to help is short: We’ve got until April 14 to submit opposition.
Another way to improve our chances of success is making sure you and your canine companions are good ambassadors for all dogs in the city. If the current leash laws are enforced and responsible owners and professional walkers keep their packs well-behaved and properly dispose of waste, maybe we can continue to enjoy off-leash recreation in some of the most beautiful places in the world.
Please also attend and speak out at scheduled public meetings to demonstrate to decision-makers that there are MANY people opposed to the new rules.
Working together, we can keep the San Francisco Bay Area dog-friendly!
Upcoming meetings:
- March 2, 4 PM, Tamalpais High School, Mill Valley
- March 5, 11 AM, SF State University, San Francisco
- March 7, 4 PM, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco
- March 9, 4 PM, Cabrillo High School, Pacifica
East Bay Off-Leash
The East Bay dog community faces off-leash challenges of its own. The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) is in the process of updating its Master Plan and contemplating whether or not to continue allowing off-leash dogs in undeveloped areas of the parks. You can help by weighing in with your dog-friendly opinions via the EBRPD survey at www.ebparks.org/planning/mp/survey. The current off-leash policies can be found at www.ebparks.org/activities/dogs/faq#q2.
In other East Bay off-leash news, revised dog rules have been proposed for the Albany Bulb, a long-time favorite romping ground for many East Bay dogs and their people on the site of a former garbage dump west of Highway 80 in Albany. It encompasses several different areas variously managed by the State of California, the City of Albany, and EBRPD.
The popular off-leash beach area is under the jurisdiction of the State, which generally bans off-leash dogs on beaches. There is one exception, Pt. Isabel in Richmond, and canine advocates hope a similar exception will be made for the Bulb.
The City of Albany’s Waterfront Committee has drafted the new dog policy for Albany’s shoreline. At a “workshop” convened on February 11 by the Committee and the Parks & Recreation Commission, passionate off-leash advocates spoke out in droves, but a few spoke in favor of more dog regulation, citing concerns over bird populations. Another public meeting is scheduled for March 2. If you care about the future of The Bulb, please stay informed and get active.
The next public meeting is scheduled for March 2. Stay tuned to www.albanybulb.com for further details.
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