HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/4/2026 Item 4a, Pinard (5)
Peg Pinard <pinardmat@gmail.
To:Auslen, Kate; McDonald, Whitney; Dietrick, Christine
Cc:E-mail Council Website; Advisory Bodies
Subject:Peer-City Risk Analysis re: Mixed-Use Dog Parks — For City Consideration
Dear City Clerk Auslen, City Manager, City Attorney, and Risk Management Staff,
Thank you for the January 12 confirmation that no written risk assessment exists for the proposed
Emerson Park dog park, and that risk considerations were discussed verbally, including in a meeting with
the City’s municipal insurance pool.
Given that confirmation, we are providing the City with relevant excerpts from a council-directed peer-
city study prepared for the City of Carpinteria, addressing the siting and design of dog parks in
neighborhood parks adjacent to children’s play areas and sports fields. The study was ordered by the
Carpinteria City Council and informed by guidance from the City’s municipal insurance pool,
the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA).
For ease of reference, the most relevant portions are quoted below.
Foreseeability of Harm in Shared-Use Parks
“Because it is foreseeable that dogs in dog parks might become over-excited and
aggressive, it is plausible that the placement of dog parks near playgrounds, sports fields,
and picnic areas could pose a high risk to children in playgrounds and less agile
pedestrians.”
— City of Carpinteria Dog Park Study, Evaluation of Shared-Use Park Sites
Mixed Uses and Increased Liability Exposure (Insurance Guidance)
“Some concern was expressed about time-controlled off-leash privileges in existing parks
as they may be an unconventional approach and mixed uses in parks can lead to increases
in liability exposure.”
— CJPIA guidance cited in City of Carpinteria Dog Park Study
Dedicated Dog Parks Preferred by Insurers
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“The idea of a dedicated dog park was considered a preferred approach, and a record of
rule enforcement by the City considered to be a good management practice.”
— City of Carpinteria Dog Park Study, CJPIA section
Critical Design Requirement: Separation of Dogs by Size
“Keeping large dogs and small dogs separated is considered by many experts to
be critical.”
— City of Carpinteria Dog Park Study, Design Elements and Infrastructure
Enforcement Failures and Municipal Liability
“Failure to enforce its own rules and regulations may result in governmental liability… If a
local animal control agency does nothing despite being informed, a person who sustains
personal injuries may prevail against the municipality.”
— City of Carpinteria Dog Park Study, City Liability
We wanted to ensure that this peer-city risk analysis and related insurer guidance are part of the City’s
record and available to decision-makers prior to further action on the Emerson Park project.
Thank you for your attention to this material.
Sincerely,
Peg Pinard
Emerson Park Neighborhood Resident
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