I live up the street  from Rossi Park, and this past week, we’ve seen alarming coyote activity. Just a few days ago, I nearly walked into two coyotes inside the fenced-in Edward Street Annex across from the Rossi Park Playground and Athletic field. If not for the quick actions of a neighbor who saw the situation and cautioned me, I would have encountered this wild animal firsthand. The large coyotes had no hesitation crossing the street and entering the Edward Street Annex, where it could easily move undetected and pose a threat. It's only a matter of time before a small dog or a child playing joyfully gets caught off guard, with potentially dire consequences.

For over 30 years, the entrance gate to the fully fenced-in Edward Street (Rossi) Annex has remained closed, offering us peace of mind as a safe haven for children and dogs to play freely without the risks that wild animals present. There’s a picnic table inside the Annex where neighbors often times work while their dog and/or children safely play.  Recently, however, the Park and Recreation department has locked this gate OPEN. This decision has made an area that was once a safe space into a potential danger zone, increasing the likelihood of perilous encounters between residents and wildlife. 

The Edward Street Annex is one of the few fully fenced-in options we have for a safe space where dogs can play freely, as dogs are not allowed on the Rossi Athletic Field. By leaving the gate open, each day we put our beloved pets and children in potential harm’s way. Coyotes, in search of food, could enter the Annex at any time, marking it as a vulnerable spot. There’s also restrooms with open entrance doors inside the Annex  where coyotes can enter and hide. The recent sightings and close calls urge immediate action; we should not wait for a tragedy to occur before we act. 

Additionally, dogs are not allowed at ANY time on the Rossi Athletic field and we have NO fenced-in dog play areas in the Inner and Central Richmond, Lone Mountain, Laurel Heights, Presidio, Cole Valley, the Haight, Inner and Central Sunset and Presidio Heights districts.  We NEED a fenced-in off-leash dog play area in our districts. There is no fenced-in dog park within 2.5 miles. It’s time to change that!  There are more dogs than children in San Francisco. The Edward Street Annex is already fully fenced-in and makes for an ideal and safe dog/children play area. 

We believe that closing the Edward Street Annex gate is a simple yet effective measure to restore safety in our community. By taking this action, we reduce the risk of encounters with dangerous wildlife and create a secure environment for our children to play and our dogs to run freely off-leash once more.

Join us in urging the Park and Recreation Department to restore the Edward Street Annex gate to its closed state and allow dogs to be off-leash.

Sign this petition to stand with us in making our neighborhood a safer place for all its inhabitants. Together, we can preserve and protect our cherished play spaces, ensuring they remain safe for generations to come.