Excerpts:
On Tuesday, the city's Parks and Recreation Commission will consider whether to allow off-leash dogs at Hawk View Park on Heron Avenue and Glen Park on Orinda Drive.
That meeting, which begins at 4 p.m. at City Hall, is expected to become intense because homeowners near the two parks are divided over the issue, residents and city officials said Friday.
If the commission decides to support off-leash hours at the two parks, it will probably recommend that the hours be identical to what exists at the three city parks where off-leash dogs currently are allowed, Commissioner Doug Long said Friday.
Those three parks --- Orpheus Park in Leucadia, Sun Vista Park in Olivenhain and Viewpoint Park on D Street near City Hall ---- now allow dogs to run leash-free from 6 to 7:30 a.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
However, those off-leash hours may change.
On Wednesday, the City Council will consider whether to expand them and allow off-leash dogs from 6 to 9 a.m. and from 3 to 8 p.m. on those days as well as on Sundays.
Debate over whether to give dogs more freedom in city parks jumped into the public spotlight last summer when sheriff's deputies ticketed 18 people with off-leash dogs at Viewpoint, Orpheus and Hawk View parks. The tickets were issued about a half hour after the nighttime off-leash hours ended at Viewpoint and Orpheus parks.
People who got the $445 tickets, as well as other off-leash dog supporters, have lobbied fiercely since to get the city to increase its off-leash periods. The city's mayor said Friday that she believes the new expanded-hours proposal meets those requests.
Blogger's note-
People in Encinitas are very passionate about their dogs. There are many pet stores and veterinarians located in Encinitas that are major contributors to our local economy.
Titan, 2nd place Howl 'O Ween costume contest winner 2009.
the only time people even use the orpheus park is during dog hours...there shouldn't be any limits
ReplyDeleteTrust Doug Long to get into the act. He isn't even on the subcommittee or the Chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee. Wonder why they asked him? Hmmmmm, City Council perhaps? If you want to contact someone contact the subcomittee. They are: Steve Valois; Lorri Greene and Dennis Llota. Yes, our own Dr. Lorri.
ReplyDeleteJ.P. What do vets and pet stores contribute? If people want pets then they should have land to let them run in their backyard. Only people should be at the parks. This is crap.
ReplyDeleteI do not let me kids play in parks that allow dogs to use the parks as a toilet. I do not think it is a good idea. Even if they pick up most of the turds, the dog urine stays. Why would this be appropriate in an area where kids play on the grass? I get people using my front yard as a dog toilet and they get angry when I ask them not to use my yard as a toilet.
ReplyDeleteDog parks are fine, but dogs pissing and dumping turds where kids and other people contact the grass is disgusting.
My dog has fleas!!!
ReplyDeleteDogs are cool. People are idiots. Lets let the dogs go to the park if they can leave their owners at home! The first kid that gets bit by one of these dogs 1 minute after the off leash hours end is going to cost a fortune! Just people please.
ReplyDeleteI support dog parks, not dogs in the parks. There is nothing more disgusting than having a picnic at a local park that allows dogs. The urine and feces smell is revolting. D Street is so foul I refuse to take my kids there. Ever notice the only time people are at D Street is when the dogs are allowed...not a coincidence.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it great that the little kids get to play on all the grass that the dogs pee and poop on. It only builds up their immune system, that is if they recover.
ReplyDeleteBut dogs are people too.
And all dog owners pick up after their pets. Right.
We all pay taxes to support the parks and now they want to contaminate three more sites. Sane people don't patronize toxic waste sites and if the council was looking out for the best interests of ALL the citizens of Encinitas they would not expand the off leash hours nor allow more parks to become toxic waste sites.
Right now I can hear the constant barking of dogs at Orpheus Park.
Anybody who lets their children play at any dog park should be brought up on felony child endangerment charges!
ReplyDeletePeople who love their dogs and cats like they are their children are sick,sick,sick.
Anon 5:05- I have seen some kids that make dogs look really good. So I can see why some people prefer dog over kids. Just the other day one kid downtown decided just for the hell of it I guess, to kick another kid who was skateboarding. The skateboarder fell and was bleeding pretty bad. The other kid took his skateboard and stated skating. I don't think a dog would do that.
ReplyDeleteI love dogs but I think that dog parks should be exclusive to dogs. Many of the "dog parks" have children's jungle gyms, etc and it is absolutely disgusting to have a dog park where children play!! The knowledge that dogs have peed and pooped there (albeit picked up) does not leave it free of fecal matter!!You don't see many children playing on the grass because it is filthy and a GOOD parent would not allow their child to play on it!!What is wrong with people...go walk your dogs DAILY and you would not be FAT and LAZY watching your dog at dog park. These people are not true dog lovers they just like the convenience of bringing their dogs to a park where they can merely socialize among other LAZY folks! Go walk your dogs...they would be happier!!
ReplyDeleteHow do you pick up pee?
ReplyDeleteHow do you stop kids from being jerks?
ReplyDelete8:06
ReplyDeleteGive them parents that aren't jerks.
7:40
ReplyDeleteHave your child do summersalts at a dog park after hours.
the dog piss I hand handle. Its the turdets that stick to grass and are always left behind that bother me. even when people suck as myself pick up the dog poo.... some is always left behind. When I see little Jaydin putting grass in my mouth I makes me puke. know wonder no one used Orpheous park other than dog owners. its covered in dog pee and poop reminiscence.
ReplyDelete$445 ticket???
ReplyDeleteMy god Jerome,Danny, Jimbo. You people have lost your goddamn minds. I can see a $50 ticket. $445? What is wrong with you???
We need the money to help pay for employee pensions!
ReplyDeleteI want equal protection!! Where is the cat park? I also think we should have an iguana park. What about a weasel park? That would be a park exclusive to city councilmen.
ReplyDeleteWhat about the birds that fly over the park and poop?
ReplyDeleteCan we restrict them to certain hours of the day?
I like the idea of a cat hunting park. The cats can hunt and humans can hunt the cats. kindof like real laws of nature.
ReplyDeletea squirrel huntin' park! How 'bout it, Dooger Dan?
ReplyDeleteno dogs and no surfing at swamis!
ReplyDeleteIf you received a ticket it's because you think you're above the law!
ReplyDeletePay the ticket, keep your dogs on leashes and most of all - quit whinning you crimminals.
You should of been fined $1000 for us just having to hear your petty excuses.
We need dog only parks. Keep the dogs out of the kid parks. Clean up after your dogs! Have poop bag available at the dog parks so owners don't have an excuse not to use them.
ReplyDeletePeople are freeking nutz about their dogs. If you don't have a yard big enough for your dog to run around in don't have a dog!
You people are assholes.
ReplyDeleteHook worms, pin worms, tapeworms, roundworms, heart worms - all left behind by dog waste. And even when an owner "cleans up" after their pet, worm eggs can linger in the soil for years, causing intestinal illnesses and kidney disorders.
ReplyDeleteThe EPA classifies dog waste in the same category as toxic chemicals for a reason!
Keep the dogs in a dog park, not where children play and people picnic.
I love the taste of dog shit in my mouth. Don't you?
ReplyDelete