We, the neighbors of Rossi Park in San Francisco, believe that the beautiful parks in our neighborhood should be shared by all.  We are parents with children who use the park for sports and we are dog owners who use the park to exercise our pets when the park is not being used for sports.  As of now, dogs are NOT allowed on the athletic field at any time. We ask the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department to allow dogs on the Rossi Park athletic field before 9:00 AM and after 5:00 PM, when there are no sports activities in the park.

In the early morning and evening hours, the park is quiet and serene.  Before 9:00 AM and after 5:00 PM, there are no sports in the park.  In truth, there are no sports in the park on weekdays until the afternoon.  But in order to make the rules simple for everyone, we are only requesting that dogs be allowed on the athletic field before 9:00 AM and after 5:00 PM every day, as long as there are no organized sports activities in the park.

We value youth sports and would never propose anything to interfere with them.  Allowing dogs to use the athletic field before 9:00 AM and after 5:00 PM will not impact any youth sports.  We understand that during soccer and baseball season, especially in the Spring, there are many sports activities in the park after 5:00 PM.  During these times, dogs would not be allowed on the athletic field.  We are responsible dog owners and clean up after our pets.  We all want to keep the park clean and safe.

This change would only require new signage at the two main entrances to the parks.  It would create a fair system that balances the needs of the entire neighborhood.  The current system is unfair, with dogs not allowed on the athletic field at any time, even when it is completely empty (as it is every morning and almost every evening).  Youth sports (and picnics and other activities) would still have exclusive use of the field after 9:00 AM and before 5:00 PM, as they do today.