Who Let The Dogs Out?
Here's an update on the vote for the Dog Park.
There was quite a bit of discussion on whether or not to allow the ball field at McVicker to be used as a dog park that's for sure.
A few of the concerns that I specifically raised were:
1) The health issues since we have little league kids who play on that field from January to November. The little league president expressed at the meeting they already have a problem with the kids having to dodge dog droppings. Giving permission to let the dogs roam free will increase the use of the park, which may lead to more dodging.
2) The park would not be available to everyone in the city to use since it would only be a dog park Monday through Friday from 6:30-10:30 a.m. Those who work and the kids in school would not be able to use it.
3) The small dogs and large dogs would not be separated, which is how every other dog park operates, for safety reasons.
In the end, the proposal by the dog owners received a yes vote by a margin of
3-2, with myself and councilwoman Bhutta voting against.
Staff has been directed to look for an alternative place for a dog park, as well as providing the cost.
Councilman Buckley, Hickman and Magee felt allowing the field to be used as a dog park for three months was a good solution. At the end of the three months, the council will have to evaluate how it's working out and make a decision then about keeping it there, putting it somewhere else, or not having it at all at this time.
The one thing everyone agrees on is that we need a dog park! The question that remains is where?
I hope that the new people who go to use the park for their dogs will be considerate and clean up after their pets. The folks who brought this forward are extremely pleased now that they went through the democratic process and won the right to let the dogs run like the wind. I would hate to see it ruined by a few bad apples.
KCAL News Video Clip Below
http://cbs2.com/video/?id=114810@kcbs.dayport.com
There was quite a bit of discussion on whether or not to allow the ball field at McVicker to be used as a dog park that's for sure.
A few of the concerns that I specifically raised were:
1) The health issues since we have little league kids who play on that field from January to November. The little league president expressed at the meeting they already have a problem with the kids having to dodge dog droppings. Giving permission to let the dogs roam free will increase the use of the park, which may lead to more dodging.
2) The park would not be available to everyone in the city to use since it would only be a dog park Monday through Friday from 6:30-10:30 a.m. Those who work and the kids in school would not be able to use it.
3) The small dogs and large dogs would not be separated, which is how every other dog park operates, for safety reasons.
In the end, the proposal by the dog owners received a yes vote by a margin of
3-2, with myself and councilwoman Bhutta voting against.
Staff has been directed to look for an alternative place for a dog park, as well as providing the cost.
Councilman Buckley, Hickman and Magee felt allowing the field to be used as a dog park for three months was a good solution. At the end of the three months, the council will have to evaluate how it's working out and make a decision then about keeping it there, putting it somewhere else, or not having it at all at this time.
The one thing everyone agrees on is that we need a dog park! The question that remains is where?
I hope that the new people who go to use the park for their dogs will be considerate and clean up after their pets. The folks who brought this forward are extremely pleased now that they went through the democratic process and won the right to let the dogs run like the wind. I would hate to see it ruined by a few bad apples.
KCAL News Video Clip Below
http://cbs2.com/video/?id=114810@kcbs.dayport.com
posted by Melissa Melendez at
10:16 PM
21 Comments:
As they say in France, wee wee or pooh pooh, at least Lake Elsinore made the news! Now that's a home run!
A temporary dog park is better than no dog park I guess, but thank you for trying to make it fair for all residents. Since I live in Rosetta Canyon, I probably won't make it over there first thing in the morning, but I would volunteer my neighborhood for the permanent park.
That is so disgusting, dog poop and kids do not mix. Isn't there somewhere else they can run off their leash? I have a dog, but I don't let him go to the bathroom in a park where kids play for crying out loud!
Not to be rude because we really appreciate the updates and information and all, and this really isn't directed at you I guess, but why was this approved if the little league teams were so against it? That part of the park was built for baseball not dogs, it doesn't seem to make sense to me. What if some kid gets some disease related to the dog poop or slips on it or something, isn't the city liable? I'm not against a dog park but why do the kids who use the ball field have to give up what's rightfully theirs?
I was at the meeting where the lady said they were already using it as a dog park. So now they get rewarded for breaking the rules. That doesn't add up.
I say make the ball field a permanant dog park, they can give up the use of one field. it's not like there are no other baseball fields. But good point, small and large dogs should not be together. I have big dogs and they don't much care for the little dogs.
Why not fence in the area outside of the baseball field?
Word of advice, never put dogs before people, and don't mess with the little league.
We already have a DOG PARK..everyday, all hours of the day the people bring their dogs and let them run off their leashes at the public beach on Lakeshore, oh, and these responsible dog owners some how forget to pick up after their dogs. Theirs one guy that has 6 huge german shepherds that he takes their every morning and folks really love to watch their dogs run in and out of the Lake....it's a dog, not a human!!!
I know it's frustrating regarding the dog owners who aren't so responsible, but unfortunately that problem will never go away. Staff has been directed to locate an alternate location for a dog park within 3 months, one where we can separate the small and large dogs, and one that is not a baseball field. I don't know where that will be, but it may not necessarily be at McVicker.
I stand by my decision to vote against it though, I still don't think it's a good location for all the reasons I listed above. But, it was approved, so now we have to deal with it.
I watched the meeting and it seemed like no one was prepared to answer the tough questions. It's unfortunate that SOME of our city leaders continually take the path of least resistance. It would not have hurt anything to wait a few months, but some people just had to push it through. It's shameful that Buckley is now doing everything he can to make people try to like him.
I'm glad that everyone agrees we need a dog park at least! I am disappointed that it's going to be on the other side of the lake for 3 months though. I live in Canyon Hills, so there is no way I will ever get to use it, especially if you keep it there and keep those hours. Now if the hours change and we can go on weekends it will be a lot busier, I'll be there for sure!
I was one of few who spoke at the City Council meeting, critical of the current proposed mixed use dog park. It is important that any new activity get off the ground with a well thought out plan that insures success. There is no question a dog park is wanted and needed in Lake Elsinore. However, failure at McVicker, for whatever reason, may make it more difficult to open up a real dedicated dog park somewhere else. I only see trouble ahead for the dog owners who deserve a place of their own.
I think the fact that people use the beach as a dog park tells us that we're in need of a real dog park. That doesn't mean some will not still use the beach, but if everyone had a place to go to let the dogs off the leash I think it may cut down on the beach use.
Councilman Hickman had a good suggestion though, to have more than one in town. Maybe having one on each side of town would cover all those who are interested?
Let's face it, dogs are like kids, they love to run like crazy with their tongues hanging out. (I know a few adults who like that sort of thing too). We need a place to let them do that. My hope is we'll find a place everyone is happy with and the hours of operation will allow all dog owners to participate.
Here is a suggestion, there is an area along Lakeshore to the left towards four corners. This area is d isolate by the beach and since the City has already trimmed the trees and mowed everything down people could have this huge area for there dogs to run without bothering anyone else at other parks and schools. There is also a huge area next to Jack in the Box on Riverside drive that could be used.
I've been to the Dog Park several times since it's opened and have really enjoyed myself. EVERYONE was very responsible for their dogs from picking up poop to sharing their dog's tennis ball with the other dogs. It was a great group of people that you don't see every day. I do have to point out that the field is extremely wet and over watered! This makes for mud puddles and mosquitos when it gets hot. Someone should really check the sprinklers.
I just wish there was a dog park closer to my house than McVicker (especially when I have to put a muddy dog in the back of my SUV). I'm not complaining - I guess I have to take the good with the bad :) Again, I really enjoyed myself with the great group of people that I had the pleasure of meeting. Lets hope for a new permanant dog park that everyone can enjoy at anytime of day. Thanks for all you do Melissa and the rest of the Council.
Ummm, actually, it's not a dog park yet. The Lake Elsinore Municipal Code has to be amended first. That is scheduled for a vote on October 13th. So until that happens, please keep your dog on a leash, otherwise animal control has the authority to cite you, since the off-leash rule is not in effect yet. We don't want you to have to pay a fine, Christmas is coming!
I'll let the Parks & Rec staff know about the water issue, we certainly don't need the mud and we DO need to save on the water. Thank you for letting me know!
Glad to hear friends are being made, that's always a good thing. But remember, keep ol' Fido on the leash, at least until the results of the vote are in!
Oh, one more thing for the person who made some suggestions for an alternative spot for the park. Thank you for the suggestions, I'll pass them along to staff. One of the things we have to keep in mind is adequate parking for whatever site is chosen.
You'd better talk to the Editor at the Californian because according to his article - Dogs can run off the leash:
http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/lake-elsinore/article_fc1a0956-aa37-54aa-8e43-725d47385a39.html
Read the article right below the picture (which shows people with their dogs off a leash). Either way, please advise - I don't want to get cited. Thanks!
Hi there anonymous, here's a snippet from the article - "The council majority modified the hours to run from dawn until 10:30 a.m. and decided the ball field was only a temporary solution. To enact the policy, the council will need to adopt an ordinance that permits the dogs to be unleashed during that period at the park. That is scheduled for the council's consideration on Oct. 13 and, if approved, the change would take effect immediately."
The last sentence is where it tells everyone that it's not in effect yet, sorry!! But don't panic, just be sure to tell the other dog owners that it's not in effect yet.
We residents that live on the north side of Lake Elsinore please request you strongly consider the area of McVicker Park for the permanent dog park! Everyone who lives in this area knows that the closer you get to Riverside Drive the less safe you feel. I frankly would not feel safe going to the area off Lakeshore near 4 corners. (But I'm glad people are looking around and thinking about dog parks!) The transient community is very large around there. We can't all afford to live in Tuscany or Canyon Hills. (I don't begrudge those who are able to, I have several friends that I play raquetball with and work with that live over there, just doesnt work for all of us) Hopefully we can have parks at both ends of town. McVicker is a beautiful site and sits at the center of a large residential area where people are out walking their dogs all the time. There appears to be unused property behind that lower baseball field that has just gone to brush and also over near the fire station. Please consider these areas and throw a bone to us North siders! My mother was recently involved in a traffic accident on Lincoln near Riverside drive and the deputies that responded waited for the tow truck with us because they said it wouldn't be safe to leave us alone in that area. So it's not just my imagination that it's not the safest area. Yet McVicker seems to be this little pocket of tranquility and it's not in walking distance for all the transients and gang bangers! We visited the temporary dog park today with my pooch and we had a great time. Nice bunch of folks.
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