HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/4/2026 Item 4a, Beattie
Colunga-Lopez, Andrea
Patricia Beattie <
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:Emerson Park Project
Good evening,
I recently read about the proposal to renovate Emerson Park and am deeply concerned that half the open
green space would be removed to make way for a dog park. I live in downtown SLO and frequently walk my
dog down to that park specifically because it is a quiet area that isn’t filled with dogs. I would be so
disappointed to lose the tranquility of that park as dog parks can be incredibly chaotic, loud and stressful
places for so humans and dogs alike.
My own personal preference to have a quiet green space to walk my dog is pale in comparison to what that
field is used for a majority of the time: sports. I have seen pick up games of ultimate frisbee, children’s soccer
and football games and practices all alongside picnics and people relaxing in the shade. Cutting that field in
half forfeits the only fenced in park that affords enough space to hold so many activities at once downtown.
I urge the city to remove plans for a dog park from this renovation project and protect the open green space
that we all benefit from. As the owner of a very high energy dog, I can assure you the dog community will not
miss that dog park. We have two excellent parks already as well as two designated dog beaches in the county.
We are rich in dog appropriate spaces compared to many cities. Please do not sacrifice such a wonderful open
and multi-purpose field to a fenced in dog park.
Sincerely,
Patricia Beattie
805-441-3589
335 Branch Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
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