HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/4/2026 Item 4a, Wilkinson
Steven Wilkinson <
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:Public comment: Concern about proposed dog park at Emerson Park
Dear Parks and Recreation Commission,
re: Item 4(a) on 2/4/2026
I am writing to ask that the Commission seriously reconsider taking away open grass space at Emerson
park for the construction of another dog park. I have been a youth sports coach in San Luis Obispo for 12
years. During this time, the demand for practice space for youth sports teams has increased significantly
as the local population has increased and as participation of girls in sports has increased. Currently, it is
extremely difficult to find any place to hold practices in this city. This is further magnified by the closures
of many fields during the fall and winter and the fact that flag football practices are not allowed at Damon
Garcia. I am empathetic to the desire to have a convenient dog park located in downtown SLO; however,
there are other dog park options in this city (Laguna Park and El Chorro). On the other hand, there simply
isn't enough space for youth sports teams to practice and this proposal to take away space will just
compound this problem. Moreover, kids just need places to run and play outside of structured activities.
I realize that this proposal is specific to Emerson Park, but I would also like to urge the Parks and
Recreation Commission to survey baseball and softball parents about field availability in this city. The
demand for baseball & softball fields far exceeds availability. Please look at the baseball complexes in
Arroyo Grande, Pismo, and Paso Robles as examples.
Thank you for your time and consideration and for allowing me to voice my opinion on this issue which
will have long-term and lasting impacts on our children.
Sincerely,
Steven Wilkinson
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