HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/4/2026 Item 4a, Kounanis
From:Carrie Kounanis <cbkounanis@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, February
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:Attn: Parks & Rec Commission- Please Vote No on Dog Park Addition
Hello Parks & Rec Commission,
I am writing to respectfully but firmly ask that you reconsider the proposal to remove a significant portion of the
existing lawn at Emerson Park in order to add a dog park.
I grew up in this neighborhood, and my family home is just one block away. As a child, I was picked up for
elementary school at the bus stop at Emerson Park by the community garden. When my grandmother
developed dementia, we walked her to the community garden every day. Today, I take my nephew to the park
to play and I walk my dog there regularly. Emerson Park is not just green space on a map. It is a living, deeply
personal part of this neighborhood.
Below are the key reasons I believe this proposal would cause more harm than benefit.
Emerson Park Serves an Underserved Dog Population
What makes Emerson Park truly special is that it serves an underserved population that is not being
considered in this proposal: dogs who are reactive, insecure, or fearful.
These dogs, and the people who care for them, are largely excluded from dog parks for behavioral, social, and
safety reasons. Right now, Emerson Park is one of the few places that is genuinely inclusive of all dogs. Any
dog can enjoy a calm, leashed walk here.
Converting Emerson Park into a dog park would change that entirely. A dog park only serves a small subset of
dogs that are highly social and comfortable in off leash environments, while effectively excluding the majority of
dogs who are not suited for dog parks. In that sense, this proposal would reduce inclusivity rather than expand
it.
Existing Parks Do Not Meet This Need
While there are other beautiful parks in town, they do not serve the same purpose. Meadow Park attracts a
very large number of dogs, many of them off leash despite posted rules, which makes it unusable for fearful or
reactive dogs. Mitchell Park presents a different challenge. It is surrounded by heavy traffic and has safety
concerns that make it unsuitable for dogs who need calm, controlled environments.
Emerson Park fills a gap that no other park currently fills. Losing it would mean losing one of the only safe
options for this population.
A Rare Place of Calm in a Dense Downtown Neighborhood
1
Emerson Park is a place of peace. It is one of the only places downtown where you can sit under a tree, enjoy
shade, and experience relative quiet. That calm atmosphere is not incidental. It is the reason people come
here.
A dog park would bring constant noise, barking, and activity that would fundamentally change the character of
the park. This would impact not only dog owners, but also families, seniors, gardeners, and neighbors who rely
on this space as a quiet refuge.
Safety Concerns for Children and Other Park Users
The park already supports many uses within a very small footprint, including a playground, basketball courts,
children playing soccer and other games on the grass, and a well loved community garden.
Adding a dog park would introduce a large number of unleashed dogs into an already busy space. It is
unrealistic to assume that off leash activity would remain contained, especially when many people already
ignore leash laws regardless of signage. This creates real safety concerns for children playing sports, kids on
the playground, people sitting quietly under trees, and dogs that require distance from others.
It would also inevitably impact the community garden, which would likely become a frequent dog bathroom.
Downtown Green Space Is Non-Existent
Downtown SLO has no green space, and many residents in the neighborhood lack yards or have only small
concrete patios. For those residents, Emerson Park is one of the only appropriate places for dogs to relieve
themselves without encroaching on private property. Reducing lawn space here ignores the essential, daily
role this park plays for the neighborhood.
Parking and Neighborhood Impacts
Parking in this area is already extremely limited, and the situation continues to worsen as new downtown
residential projects are approved with little or no on site parking. High parking fees push downtown workers
and visitors into surrounding neighborhoods.
Turning Emerson Park into a dog park would attract additional visitors from outside the area, further straining
already scarce parking. This would directly impact nearby residents by taking up the limited parking they rely
on for their own homes and would create significant frustration for both homeowners and tenants.
This spillover parking would also unintentionally hurt downtown businesses by reducing access for customers
and employees, worsening an already difficult situation.
Please Protect Emerson Park’s Unique Role
There is no shortage of dog parks in this community. Laguna offers a large, well designed dog park, and El
Chorro Regional Park provides ample space for off leash activity without impacting dense residential
neighborhoods.
2
Emerson Park is different. It is quiet, local, inclusive, and safe. It serves children, families, gardeners,
neighbors, and an underserved population of dogs who cannot use traditional dog parks. The current proposal
threatens to destroy everything that makes it unique.
Please preserve Emerson Park as the calm, shared neighborhood space it has always been and do not move
forward with a plan that would permanently change its character and accessibility.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Carrie Kounanis
805-471-7521
cbkounanis@gmail.com
3