Thank you all for your efforts in bringing attention to the need for an enclosed off-leash dog park in our neighborhood! In this regard, we were successful!! It was made clear to and reiterated by city council members that they too, understand the need for this valuable community resource and the benefits it has not only for our beloved dogs, but for the community at large.

Although the closure at the current location has been finalized and we were not successful in convincing the city to keep it open until November, nor for them to partition the viable areas for continued use, there is a glimmer of hope and I would LOVE your support in being a PERSISTENT voice that cannot be ignored moving forward:

1) The city council and the Director of Public Works, Daniel Gonzales affirmed that the city would prioritize a new location for the enclosed dog park. The currently vacant area proposed for relocation (during the last two meetings by various residents), resolves the issues of the current location: it's topography is flat with no risk of erosion or water contamination and it is separated from housing with an existing sound barrier and fencing in place on three sides: a single side of fencing with a self-closing gate is required.

2) The city has committed to prioritizing relocating the dog park as soon as this May/June as it concurrently undertakes a sustainability evaluation of all city parks and open spaces. We would like the parks board to evaluate the proposed location that appears to pose no sustainability issues and to open an enclosed off-leash dog area soon (within weeks or months, not years!). There are many other parks and issues being addressed by the sustainability evaluation and we do not want the concerns of other facilities to drag out the opening of this resource we have lost.

What you can do:

1) ATTEND the parks commission meeting THIS Wednesday, May 7 at 5:30pm at 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA and use the public forum at the beginning of the meeting to express your desire to see the park commission take swift action on the relocation of the park, given the council’s expedited closure of the current location. 

2) Notify EVERY dog loving / dog owning resident (especially in Piedmont, as well as neighbors that don't want dogs playing in their yards, on sidewalks or other park areas), to a) sign this petition, b) attend the parks commission and city council meetings, and c) email city council, the parks commission and the director of public works to let them know how important the enclosed off-leash dog area is to the Baja Piedmont residents. One email can be addressed to all three departments: citycouncil@piedmont.ca.gov dgonzales@piedmont.ca.gov tramsey@piedmont.ca.gov

3) Email the city council, parks commission and public works director regularly to check in on the status of their efforts to relocate the park. Be polite but persistent, with the assumption that they are genuinely committed to this effort and to staying true to their commitment. citycouncil@piedmont.ca.gov dgonzales@piedmont.ca.gov tramsey@piedmont.ca.gov

Forward this petition and join me in my vision for an enclosed dog park to open within weeks or months (not years!) and to commit to making it a safe, great place for us to continue to enjoy our dogs, neighbors and neighborhood.