March 2002

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(includes Coming Events)

DOGPARK ETIQUETTE...
FOR PEOPLE
Once you and your dog get to the dogpark, it’s tempting to just stand back and watch all the activity (or chat to the other owners). But everybody will have a much more rewarding time if you observe some basic rules. Dogparks aren’t a right, they’re a privilege. - please don’t let bad behavior ruin things for everyone else.

• Always keep your eye on your dog. Mischief can happen quickly, and it’s easier to prevent problems than recover from them.

• Always clean up after your dog. This is a primary reason that dogparks get complaints, so pay attention and pick up the poop -even if it may not have come from your dog (after all, we’ve all been caught not looking).

• Keep your dog on-leash until you get to the off-leash area. This is not just respectful to neighbors and other park users, it’s much safer for your dog.

• Children should be supervised closely, especially when they approach others dogs who may not be as comfotable with children as your dog is.

• Don’t bring a female dog in season. Spayed/neutered animals are recommended.

• Don’t allow your dog to harass other dogs or people. This means having respect for the opinion of others - if they’re uncomfortable move your dog to another part of the park. This is especially important when sharing a community park where children play.

• Only bring bite-size treats for your dog, arguments can arise when a dog is protecting the remains of a large biscuit. Don’t give treats to other people’s dogs without the owners permission, there may be health or behavior issues you aren’t aware of.

• Each park has municiple codes posted. Know the local dog laws, such as license requirements and leash laws, and follow them.

PARKING AT ORPHEUS PARK
We’re getting complaints from nearby residents of dog park visitors blocking driveways, walkways, and mailboxes. Until we get more dog parks Orpheus will continue to be very crowded, so you may have to park a block or two away. Just think of the walk from your car as part of your dog’s exercise time at the park, and help maintain good relations with our neighbors.

NEWS ON NEW PARKS
Notes from the February 19th Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting

The commission discussed off-leash hours for dogs at city parks, as well as the creation of full-time off-leash dog parks in the city. Both these discussions were in general terms, with plans made to discuss specific parks in the coming months.

Staff Recommendations to the commission:

Discuss for limited hours for dogs:
(all Mon, Wed, Fri)
Glen (6-7am) - day camp in pm
Cardiff Sports (6-7:30 am) - sports in pm
Leo Mullen ( 6-7:30 am) - sports in pm
Scott Valley (6-7:30 am, 4-6 pm)
Sun Vista (6-7:30 am, 4-6 pm)
Leucadia Oaks (6-7:30 am, 4-6 pm)

The commission acknowledged that there could be adjustments to the M-W-F limitation. Weekend hours are unlikely at this time, but the commission was open to discussing possibilities at some point down the road. There was also discussion of trying to accomodate the daylight shifts from Winter to Summer.

Discuss for full-time dog parks:
Hawkview, McPherson, Quail Gardens, Hall, Indianhead, SDGE

Hawkview was not detailed in our original presentation to the City Council, but it looks like it might be the first full-time dog park. It’s an extension of an existing park. It’s a flat one acre site, already set-up for irrigation. It will need grass and fencing. There is $60,000 budgeted for this site. The committee has received a request that some of those monies be spent on minor improvements to the existing park.

McPherson is very promising, but as yet there is no budget for the development of this site. This is where our organization will be essential - think of Hawkview as the site with training wheels.

Some important points about the process:
Creation of new parks or any changes in the use of existing parks must be discussed on a site by site basis. There is a public hearing for each site, for which all neighbors within a 300 foot radius of the potential site will be notified. We need to be at every one of these meetings, especially with supporters from each neighborhood. When changes are made for park use (including adjusting current off-leash hours), the municiple code must be changed for each park, which entails presenting the Parks and Rec Commission’s recommendations to the City Council.

What all this means is that we have to be consistent - it won’t happen over night, but it will happen. The commission was very encouraging. We don’t need to convince them of our desire for dog parks, we need to convince them that we can deliver clear plans and organized support for dog parks. This will mean donations, volunteering, etc.

Each step in the process will get us closer to having wonderful dog parks in Encinitas, so stay in touch to see how you can be part of it.

The next Parks & Rec Meeting is March 19th, 5pm - details at the city website

WE COULD USE SOME HELP!
We want to begin holding general membership meetings, but we need a location (we’d prefer free, of course). We also need someone who can write press releases for the local papers. Please call PADZ at 760-436-3571 or email us at padz@adelphia.net if you can assist us with these immediate needs. Thanks!