Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/4/2026 Item 4a, Lossing Cinde Lossing < To:Advisory Bodies Subject:Attn: Parks & Rec Commission- Concerns Regarding Proposed Dog Park in Emerson Park Dear Parks & Recreation Commission, I am writing as a long-time resident of this neighborhood who lives just one block from Emerson Park. I appreciate the work your department does to provide recreational opportunities for our community, but I feel strongly compelled to share my concerns regarding the proposed addition of a dog park at this location. My first concern is parking. Parking in this area is already extremely limited. In many cases, residents cannot even park on their own street. Adding a destination dog park would significantly increase traffic and parking demand in the surrounding neighborhood. While I understand that the new parking structure will be opening soon, it does not realistically solve the problem. Many visitors choose to park in nearby residential streets to avoid heavy parking fees, which would further compound an already difficult situation for those of us who live here. My second concern is the impact this would have on the character and use of the park itself. This is a very small neighborhood park in an older residential area. It is a quiet, welcoming space where people come to read, picnic, sunbathe, and spend time with their grandchildren. During soccer season, young children use the open grass to practice. Replacing a significant portion of this limited green space with a dog park would fundamentally change how the park is used and enjoyed. It would take away the very activities that neighbors have relied on and cherished for many years. Finally, I question whether this proposal truly serves the dog-owning community in a meaningful way. Our city already has outstanding, well-designed dog parks such as Laguna Dog Park and El Chorro, which are spacious, thoughtfully planned, and well equipped for both small and large dogs. In contrast, dividing this small neighborhood park into even smaller sections for different dog sizes would likely leave room for only one or two dogs on each side. This would create a vastly inferior dog park while simultaneously diminishing a beloved neighborhood space that currently serves many residents. In my view, this proposal would significantly harm an existing neighborhood park while offering limited benefit to dog owners who already have access to far superior facilities elsewhere. I respectfully ask that you reconsider this plan and explore alternative locations that would better serve the dog-owning community without sacrificing a small park that means so much to its surrounding neighbors. Thank you for your time and for considering the perspective of those of us who live here and use this park daily. Sincerely, Cinde Lossing 1