November 2004

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get a PDF of the flyer for Nov. 20th

Coming Events on the web

Send to newsletter@padz.org. Deadline: 25th of the month for the next month’s issue. Editor will consider all submissions, but does not guarantee inclusion.

Collar Safety at Dog Parks

If you use a chain or prong type metal collar to train your dog, remember to remove it before releasing your dog to play at dog parks. This for the safety of both dogs and people at the park.

There have been documented cases at dog parks around the country of dogs being injured and even killed due to the use of these collars in off-leash areas, as well as injuries to humans. Another dog's teeth can be caught in these collars and can be broken when the collar parts move. Dogs can also get their lower jaws stuck in them, putting them at risk of injury and the dog wearing the collar at risk of choking (yes, dogs have died this way because the chain collar could not be removed in time). People have also been badly injured when their fingers have gotten tangled in the metal parts of prong collars when they've attempted to control an aroused dog.

Bring an extra buckle or snap collar to the park so you can put that one on before entering the park.

If, however, you feel that you cannot control your dog at the park without one of these metal chain or prong collars, you should reevaluate whether your dog is ready for the off-leash environment, as the municipal codes of Encinitas do require that dogs in off-leash areas be under voice control at all times.

Community Dedication Party For Our Newest Off-Leash Area

November 20th, 9am to 11am at the Village Park Trail & Off-Leash Area located at the SDG&E Easement between Encinitas Blvd. and Mountain Vista Dr. Bring your dog for a fun morning with PADZ and get a chance to find great prizes and treats hidden at the park. For more information call 760-436-3571 or 760-753-6347.

See a map and photos of the area, with important user advice.

Download a PDF of the flyer for this event.

Proceedings of our Annual  Meeting

Our annual meeting was small, but attended by important guests: Mayor Maggie Houlihan, Encinitas Councilperson Jerome Stocks, and City Council Candidate Bruce Ehlers. Discussion centered on how PADZ can more work more effectively with the city to speed-up progress on the development of dog parks in Encinitas.

Jerome Stocks stated his firm support of Dog Parks. He argued that it is imperative that we remember that future councils can still change the direction of the current plans for the Hall property. If appointed, he will make the Dog Park a priority for the Hall Property. He stated that we will hear about the needs for the Environmental Impact Review, negotiations with CalTrans for infrastructure (which is a number one priority). He approximates that in 1-2 years we can move ahead with the park, but there is a need to arrange for financing. Phase I will be access, which is the most expensive.

Laurie Michaels brought up the argument that Dog parks are not just for dogs, but a place where people, Encinitas community members (also tax payers), go with the canine companions. There was agreement in the group and with Councilman Stocks that the issues of dog parks are an issue of education for the community- in which PADZ can become much more heavily involved.

At some point after the Hall property is established, Mayor Houlihan and Councilman Stocks informed members that approximately 4 acres of Indian Head Canyon will also be fenced in in a environmentally preserving way to allow dogs to either be on leash or in appropriate areas, off leash.

Dogs are allowed in ALL of the Encinitas parks as long as they are ON LEASH. In addition, dogs are allowed on –leash at Cardiff State Beach.

Lu Meyer and Tracy Love expressed concern over the fact that PADZ has been extremely eager to assist the City in moving projects along, but have not gotten the “go ahead” to do so on any specific project. Two main, immediate projects were discussed and met with extreme enthusiasm by both the Mayor and Councilman Stocks:

(1) The temporary dog park (1-acre site) at Encinitas Town Center across from Leo Mullens Park. PADZ will work on obtaining donations for fencing, naming rights etc from Home Depot, Petsmart, Target etc. Councilman Stocks will then put a proposal forth to his Rotary club to get a fence-building project together. As long as we can come up with the material, Councilman Stocks will try to assist us with the man power to install the fencing and we will have a temporary dog park to serve that part of Encinitas while the Hall property is being built.

(2) S.D.G.& E. EASEMENT-- PADZ will organize a community clean up as well as a gating system for the entrance on Encinitas Blvd.

Prior to these projects being launched, Board members of PADZ will meet with Phil Cotton to obtain all the specifications and needs the City will require and also arrange for bags and disposal pick up for the community clean up.

Bruce Ehlers spoke with the group about the opportunities that are available for building parks. He sited Sun Vista as an example, how the City obtained a $284K grant to cover _ of the costs for the wetland feature that was built into the park. He wants to perform outreach programs in the community to get feedback as to needs and desires for parks, acquiring land for the City where reasonable and possible so that the city can grow and support all the community needs.

Elections were held for the PADZ Board. Two positions were open for election as Patty Amsheys and Lu Meyers terms were up. Patty did not run again, but Lu was interested in remaining on the board. The floor was opened to nominations and Annette Robinson, Laurie Michaels, and Lu Meyer, were unaimously voted onto the board.

Current Board Members are Tracy Love (Chairperson), Lu Meyer (Treasurer), Lydia Kowalewski (Secretary), Margarat Nee, Laurie Michaels, and Annette Robinson.

Get involved with PADZ!

Write to local newspapers and politicians.

Attend municipal meetings when dog parks are being discussed.

Help educate fellow park users on dog park etiquette.