Dog Play Area Proposal for Alamo Square

November 2002

1.0 Introduction

This proposal was created by cumulating information and suggestions derived from hours of park discussion, park surveys and petitions, D5DOG meetings, and suggestions from neighbors, landlords and parents.

The many users and gardener of Alamo Square have created a system of use that functions smoothly and without conflict. Members of D5DOG support this system in our proposal. We feel strongly that the people who live near to and use Alamo Square daily should be who determines how their park is used. Users of Alamo Square – walkers, children, joggers, dog owners/guardians, strollers, kite flyers, tourists, sunset seekers, and even skate boarders – strongly support integration, not segregation. We support a plan that fosters tolerance and respect, and look to the Recreation and Park Department to implement a plan that supports our current healthy, safe park community.

Both park users that have lived near and used the park for decades, as well as users new to the area agree that the park’s off-leash area should remain as it has been for the past few years. Our proposal reflects the unanimous decision that Alamo Square’s off-leash status remains as is.

2.0 Why not a more restrictive proposal?

We strongly disapprove of a more restrictive proposal for several reasons:

• The working balance in Alamo Square will dramatically change both the positive community building interactions and responsible recreational use that happens in this park every single day.
• According to the 1998 Dog Task Force, our neighborhood has one of the highest concentrations of dogs in the city: over 3,000 dogs per sq. mile. There is NO way that local dogs, dogs under the care of professional dog walkers, and commuting dogs who come from all over the city to enjoy the safety and space unique to Alamo Square can manage their recreational needs with the space allotted to a DPA in a more restrictive proposal.
• Those who have lived in the area since 1998 know that the number of dogs living in the neighborhood has since increased. The number of dogs and people that visit this park on a daily basis requires that an expansive area remain open to off-leash recreation.
• To reduce the size of the DPA any further would create a “too many rats in the cage” situation for the people and dogs using these areas – creating needless dog-to-dog and human-to-human conflict in these areas.
• A more restrictive proposal will quickly destroy the landscape via overuse and will infuriate park users – who will not be bound by a plan that ignores their concerns.
• Crime in the park will increase. Dogs are a natural deterrent to criminal behavior.
• The park will become dirtier. Currently, D5DOG cleans the entire park of dog waste, human waste and trash on a monthly basis. If the DPA is restricted further, we will focus on the area designated a DPA.

3.0 History

Alamo Square has not always been the safe, beautiful, vibrant park it is now today.

Just a decade ago, most people who lived in this area avoided venturing too far into the park because of the violent criminal elements that plagued the area. During the past 5-7 years, more and more people moved into the area with companion dogs and a safe, responsible park-using community developed.

Dogs require regular exercise and walks in the park, and are also natural deterrents to criminals. The increased regular activity of dogs in the park created a safer park for everyone. Currently, anyone can visit the park day or night and feel safe because there are people using the park with their dogs. Crimes such as dog fighting, drug dealing, muggings and rapes have become extremely rare in Alamo Square.

For decades, all of Alamo Square operated as de-facto off-leash park without incident or conflict. Approximately 3 years ago, signs were installed throughout the park that clearly delimitated new on and off-leash areas – with the east side becoming and on-leash area and the west side remaining off-leash. This change was successfully adopted and accepted by park users because there was enough area to share and this seemed a reasonable compromise to everyone involved.

4.0 Why our plan works and what it does:

The D5DOG west/east proposal:

• Creates enough space so that DPA users can move from any overused grassy area showing wear & tear or being re-seeded to another grassy area within the DPA
• Allows for people to actually walk with their dogs within a DPA
• Allows for dogs/people with personality or size/play style conflicts to use the DPA simultaneously
• Gives users the choice to either recreate with a group or take a quiet walk alone with their dog
• Supports the agreement that has evolved naturally in the park over years of use

5.0 Proposal

We request that the areas designated on and off-leash remain as is (see: map attached)

We ask that the signs that clearly designated the on and off-leash areas of the park be returned and re-mounted in the same positions.

By keeping with the current guidelines, we can maintain a safe, beautiful, sane environment in the park. The D5DOG west/east DPA proposal:

· Allows DPA users to move off of a overused grassy area that needs to be re-seeded or is showing wear & tear

· Allows for people to walk with their dogs rather than stand in one spot during the duration of their visit

· Allows for dogs/people with personality or size/play style conflicts to recreate in the park simultaneously

· Gives users the choice to either recreate with a group or spend a quiet walk alone with their dog

Dogs are not allowed or tolerated in the children’s play area or tennis courts, and would remain leashed on the east side of the park.

We feel that this is a compromise solution that has worked well during the past few years and that can continue to work for the large majority of Alamo Square’s users.

This proposal has been endorsed by the members of D5DOG, parents, members of the Alamo Square Neighborhood Association, homeowners & landlords, professional dog walkers, and local small-business owners. We urge you to accept and enact it.