Hi again folks!  It's been a while since I've posted...I've been hanging back and observing, thinking about next steps. 

The number of signatures on this petition have grown - thank you so much to everyone who signed and shared! 

Unfortunately, it's not enough traction to get on the 2024 ballot, but it's still enough to show that we have a critical mass behind this initiative, enabling conversations with RPD and community leaders.  The good folks at SFDog.org said they'd help us work with the city.  I'd love to see if we could crack that 1,000 signatures number first - then I think we really can start to get some leverage.  

A lot has happened the last few weeks:

• Most of our flyers have been ripped down.  By who?  Probably doesn't really matter.  It just shows that there are apparently at least a few people in this neighborhood who believe it's right that the entire space at a taxpayer-funded public park should be completely closed to certain users.

• The morning maintenance guy tried to run me over with his cart.  Just a few days ago, actually.  I am really kicking myself for not having my camera ready, but I won't miss it next time.  He literally drove his cart right at me and my dog full speed, and then swerved to barely miss us.  I was standing still, holding my dog in a "sit," and the tires of his cart missed my dog's tail by 6 inches or less.  I'd encourage everyone in the neighborhood to document all aggressive behavior like this from rangers and park employees, and share it with the community, as well as keeping it as evidence for any future actions if needed.

• Someone (anonymously) posted a counter-petition on Change.org saying "It's time to end the unabashed sense of entitlement of the dog owners at Jackson Park." In their petition, they mentioned Daggett Park, 0.4 miles away.  I'd ask them to consider who's really coming across entitled, assuming every dog owner has the ability to walk this far.  Not to mention folks with time constraints, who don't have time for an extra 20 minute round trip.  Also, how small is Daggett Park's dog run?  I'd love to see all of Potrero's dogs crammed into Daggett....it would make a perfect photo opp (if it wasn't an extremely dangerous thing to do for both dogs and handlers).
   

• The Friends of Jackson Park sent an email which included a brief acknowledgment of our efforts.  They mentioned they petitioned the city for Jackson Park to only include one ballfield instead of two (which wasn't approved at the time).  They highlighted that the newly redesigned park (opening in 2029, 2030?) will have a 2,800 square foot dog run. 

• • Regarding Dog Play Areas (DPAs), San Francisco RPD's own dog policy states: "Wherever possible, DPAs should be at least 30,000 square feet (equal to approximately 4 tennis courts). The minimum size of a DPA shall be 10,000 square feet, approximately 2,800 square feet larger than a standard tennis court (60' X 120')."

• • To put it simply, Jackson's redesign will give all of the dog owners in lower Potrero Hill a "harassment free zone" that's 1/3 of a tennis court and 28% of the minimum square footage mandated by RPD.  And we'll be able to enjoy it starting 5-6 years from now.  For now, dog owners should just live with the harassment.

So what do we do next?  

• Please continue to share the petition, and let's see if we can get the signatures up to 1,000+.  That feels like it could be a key leverage point opening doors with the city.

• Please document, save and share all aggressive behavior by RPD employees.  These are crucial pieces of evidence of the material harm the current policies are causing our community. 

• I will continue to work with SFDog.org, local businesses and community members to rally support for this important cause.
   

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has taken a moment to sign and share.  We can make change if we keep at it.  This is our community, and we all deserve access to its amenities.