Dana Littlefield
Staff Writer

San Diego Union-Tribune
April 10, 2002

ENCINITAS - Dog Owners here probably won't get more time at city parks to let their dogs run free. Instead, the city plans to concentrate on finding space for a permanent, fenced, dog park.

Based on suggestions by the advocacy group People And Dogs Zones, the city's Parks and Recreation Commission will evaluate five sites for a dog park.

The potential locations include a portion of a San DIego Gas & Electric Co. easement between Encinitas Boulevard and VIllage Park Way, the Hall property southwest of Interstate 5 and Santa Fe drive, James MacPherson Park, Indian Head Canyon, and a site off the future extension of Quail Gardents Drive.

The commisison had planned a series of hearings during seven months to decide whether off-leash dog hours could be scheduled at various city parks, including Cardiff Sports Park, Leo Mullen Sports Park, and Hawk View Park. It had heard public comment only on Glen Park in Cardiff.

But during a meeting Monday, Mayor Christy Guerin, City Manager Kerry Miller, Commission Chairman Douglas Goad, and Vice Chairman Robert Manninga decided to change the commission agenda to finding a permanemt dog park, which was identified by the City Council during its goalsetting workshops early this year.

Guerin said she will attend the commisison meeting April 16 to explain the agenda change to other commissioners.

The city now allows dogs to run unleashed at two city parks, Orpheus Park on Orpheus Avenue in Leucadia and Encinitas Viewpoint Park at Cornis Drive and D Street near City Hall, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6 to 7:30 a.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m.