Small, dangerous sidewalk, cracked and dips. No room and next to highway. As someone mostly blind with two dogs that's terrifying. Or for a mother with a stroller and dogs, no room! Plus people on BIKES.

Look how much more room and safety we have! Room for everyone

I am a year-round beach resident, and every single day, I walk my dogs on the boardwalk. It’s more than just routine—it’s our lifeline. I live with significant vision loss, with only a narrow tunnel of sight left in my right eye. Because of this, the boardwalk is one of the few safe places I can take my dogs without the constant fear of traffic or collisions. It gives us peace. It gives us freedom. But from May 15th to September 15th, that safe space is ripped away from us under current restrictions.

During these months, I have no choice but to walk my dogs along a busy, narrow sidewalk. I can’t drive somewhere else. And with my vision, navigating that sidewalk isn’t just difficult—it’s terrifying. When someone comes toward us—pushing a stroller, walking kids, riding a bike, walking dogs—guess who’s expected to move? Me. I learned last year they wont. And imagine if their dogs are aggressive and you pass them? And there’s nowhere to go but into the road. Imagine that for a second: someone with severely limited vision stepping into traffic with their dogs because there’s no room on the sidewalk. It’s not just inconvenient—it’s dangerous and dehumanizing.

Maybe it doesn’t seem like a big deal to some. But for people like me—and there are many of us—it is. It’s exhausting and anxiety-inducing, and it feels like our needs, and our safety, don’t matter. Imagine if it were you. Or someone you love. Imagine being forced to choose between risking your life or giving up quality time you get with your beloved pets.

I understand the concerns around dog waste during the busy season. But that’s not a reason to shut us out—it’s a reason to improve enforcement. Let’s hold people accountable. Impose real fines for not picking up after dogs.  Let’s protect the boardwalk, not punish responsible pet owners. If this is allowed I promise to start a clean up crew. 

If opening the boardwalk fully isn’t possible, please—consider compromise. Morning access hours for dog owners, maybe 7am-10 am? And 6pm- sunset? Where we can walk safely without risking our lives. We’re not asking for much—just a chance to share in the space that means so much to all of us.

By signing this petition, you’re standing up for people like me—and for our dogs, who deserve a safe, joyful place too. Please. Help us bring compassion and common sense to this issue. Please, Sign the petition. Let’s make the boardwalk a place for everyone, whether they have two legs or four.