In the March-June 2002 Wave Newsletter, a letter to the superintendent of GGNRA by then-CSPRA President Geary Hund expressed the concerns of off-leash dog recreation. Geary wrote that "off-leash activities are inappropriate in state and national parks" and that "CSPRA is actively opposing this type of use." GGNRA is facing considerable political pressure to allow off-leash dog use.

The Bay Area District is facing a similar situation with respect to off-leash use in one of the newest units of California State Parks, the Eastshore Project.

This project is situated along the San Francisco Bay. It stretches from the Bay Bridge in Oakland to Marina Bay in Richmond. This unit may be classified as a state park. A BCP was recently submitted for staffing this unit.

Under current proposals, off-leash use would be permitted in parts of this unit. Would such use violate current department policy and rules, especially with respect to the classification of a state park?

And, on a larger perspective, does this unit deserve the classification of a state park? Proposed facilities include a sports field complex. This is appropriate in its urban setting, but does a unit with such a facility have statewide value and merit a state park classification? Would the Eastshore Project be better operated by a local or regional agency?

The Eastshore Project deserves a discussion by CSPRA members and the department as a whole. The push to create and manage urban parks within our department needs to be further addressed and debated.

What's your opinion?

 
[Webmaster Note: Former Director Rusty Areias' original "Bark Park" concept for DPR has not moved forward in over 2 years, since a committee appointed by Areais identified 2 pilot units for a demonstration development. CSPRA and other environmental organizations such as Native Plant Society and Audubon opposed Areias' concept.]