Friends of Lighthouse Field was formed in 2002 to maintain Lighthouse Field State Beach as a model for off-leash recreation in parks through education, park cleanups and other stewardship activities.
KUSP Radio Unleashes the Dogs
On November 17th, 2005, KUSP Talk of the Bay featured a segment about off-leash policies at Lighthouse Field. Mike Tilson represented dog owners and the greater Santa Cruz community who support off-leash dogs. Grant Wesemann defended the lawsuit against dogs and their owners.
THANKS for a successful meeting!
November 30th, 2005
Thanks to the 70+ people who attended the FOLF general meeting last Wednesday. What a great turnout! It's truly inspiring that so many dynamic dog people have volunteered their talents to help keep Lighthouse Field State Beach (LFSB) an off-leash dog park.
Following a 40-min. historical presentation, we opened the meeting for questions. You'll find the presentation in the "Issues and Answers" section, on folf.org. After the meeting, many signed up to work in various committees: political action, legal, research, funding, park stewardship and communications.
This was the text of our meeting goals slide:
FOLF goals:
Mission Statement: We support the preservation of the beauty and recreation opportunities for people and dogs off leash at Lighthouse Field and Its Beach.
- Our focus today: Preserve our current access to Lighthouse Field and Its Beach
- We're not here to negotiate substandard alternatives
- We have a just cause and we can win!
- Longer term: Make Santa Cruz more friendly to people with dogs
Those who were not able to attend may complete our Volunteer Sign Up Form (available at http://www.folf.org/volunteer.php) to lend your skills to this important community effort.
Thanks again for your enthusiasm. We are FOLF - we support the preservation of the beauty and recreation opportunities for people and dogs off leash at Lighthouse Field and Its Beach.
If you want more information, also check out the White Paper FOLF put together on the dog issues, prior to the lawsuit (also under "Issues and Answers"). The White Paper is available in PDF and in HTML formats.
WE HAVE A JUST CAUSE AND WE CAN WIN!
New at the FOLF Gift Shop - more "I like dogs and I vote" STUFF!
Show your support for Friends of Lighthouse Field (FOLF) and help get the message out. Order your "I like dogs and I vote" or "Share the 2%" apparel and gift items today!
Now available from the FOLF Gift shop: "I like dogs and I vote" t-shirts, sweats and hoodies, tote bags and license plate frames. And for your dog, "I vote like a dog" doggy shirt!
Order from our secure online store at http://www.cafepress.com/folf (there's a link from www.folf.org, as well).
Over $1000 raised for a Dan Huston memorial!
Dan Huston was a friend to many FOLFers, and his passing will leave an empty space at Lighthouse Field. In honor of his memory, a virtual hat was passed and friends an acquaintances donated over $1000 to pay for either a memorial bench or trees, or both. Dan's widow will decide how she wants Dan honored.
Thanks to all of you who honored Dan's memory!
FOLF supporters talk at Tony Madrigal's west side coffee talk
City council member Tony Madrigal hosted one of several coffee talks at Carpo's on Mission Street.
Several FOLF supporters were there, and we hear that Tony heard the message that the issue is not whether the council members and/or supervisors themselves like dogs; the issue is supporting a part of the Santa Cruz community, and he seemed to agree with that.
One example cited was the many Senior citizens, who are advised to get exercise by their MD's, get that needed exercise by walking their dogs at Lighthouse Field.
Dated 11/10/05
The state is implying this as a legal issue, that the appellate court ruling requires them to revert to 1984 rules, thus banning off leash dog use. That's not true, and it's a smoke screen to divert people from noticing that the State Parks Department has unilaterally reversed their stand on dogs off leash, without any public input, and without any input from the city.
Instead of being forced by the court, the lawyer for the State Parks states that "... it is our determination that ..." it would be better if the state not only takes control back on the decision about dogs off leash, but also makes the decision to disallow dogs off leash.
We do not know what truly triggered this decision, but we do know that the conclusions were reached without any input from the public, from the city staff, or from our elected officials. We all are the ones who pay for this park and have to manage the park – Lighthouse Field does not get state parks money or use state employees.
It does appear that the state has the legal right to issue this decree, because this is state owned property, and because of the terms of the current contract between city and state for Lighthouse Field. Thus the city would be bound by this decision without legal recourse. BUT then it becomes a political issue, and there is room for a political battle.
So what do we do?
- Write to officials at the state level, and cc our city officials. There is contact information on our "Write Letters" contact page, for many of the state officials - both elected officials and State Parks officials. Tell them you think this decision was wrong and the decision process was wrong, and both should be reconsidered.
- Watch your email and the web site for a FOLF meeting notice, to come and give ideas and energy on how else to fight this attempt. Anyone with legal or political background is especially encouraged to help us out.
- Pass on this information to others and have them join us in the fight for our access to the Field.
Fact: Our city attorney, John Barisone confirmed that the appellate court ruling does not require the State Parks to revert to the 1984 rules of "pets on leash only". The court ruling only required that IF the new park General Plan Update were adopted, that the environmental Initial Study needed to reworked. (per John Barisone, 10-Nov-05)
Fact: Both court rulings affirmed that the 1993 agreement between the city and the state (allowing dogs off-leash) was not under question, and could not be challenged legally.
Fact: Because of the court ruling and poor finances, the city had decided not to appeal the ruling, and decided to drop the Update to the General Plan to avoid further CEQA review expenses. This left rules and policy as they were prior to the Update process in 2001/2002 - i.e. the 1993 agreement to allow dogs off leash would continue. (per Dannettee Shoemaker, 7-Nov-05)
Fact: The city attorney's opinion is that the existing State Grant money can still be used for planned projects like the Bathroom upgrades under the old General Plan, without getting the Plan Update adopted. (per Dannettee Shoemaker, 7-Nov-05)
Fact: There are other State owned parks in similar situations to Lighthouse Field: parks that are owned by the State but are operated by local authorities, and allow dogs off leash in those parks. Two that we know of are in the East Bay Regional Park District: Lake Del Valle State Recreation Area and Eastshore Park State Seashore. (see http://www.ebparks.org/parks.htm)
Fact: In November 2007, the current operating agreement between the city, the county and the state expires. The city has the option to renew this agreement, but the management and financial terms of any new agreement must be completely renegotiated. The 2004 estimated actual Lighthouse Field Maintenance Expenditures are about a quarter million dollars: $206,000 paid by the City of Santa Cruz, and $43,000 paid by the County. The State Parks Department does not help finance the park operations. (per the City web site budget pages for Parks and Rec)
Note that the text of the appellate court ruling is available on-line.
Dated 11/05/05
Going, going, GONE?
You and your dog at Lighthouse Field and Its Beach
You are in danger
of losing your off-leash access privileges at Lighthouse Field and Its Beach!
After two years of public hearings, testimony from hundreds of citizens and
petitions from thousands of Santa Cruz area residents, we reached the current
compromise: You are allowed to use less than 2% of our city parkland for
6 hours per day.
However, a small disgruntled group is still determined
to drive you out. They launched a lawsuit to bully the City and get their
way.
Now, working behind the scenes, without a public hearing
or any other open public input, the lawsuit is providing an excuse for a
state bureaucrat to order the City to get rid of you and your off-leash dog.
A letter dated October 26 from State Department of Parks & Recreation
attorney Bradly S. Torgan told the City that you should be banned in 24 months
or less. (read the full letter)
Don't allow bias, fear, innuendo, falsehoods and back-room
deals to ruin this unique recreational privilege that has been a Santa Cruz
tradition for more than 20 years.
WRITE TODAY
Tell State officials, Members of the City Council and Parks & Recreation Commission:
- You want to preserve off-leash access; how important this is to your quality of life.
- It’s unacceptable for Santa Cruz to give in to lawsuit bullies and State bureaucrats.
Tell your State Assemblyman and State Senator that you want their help .
Ask them to investigate why the State bureaucracy wants to end a unique success
story. Lighthouse Field and Its Beach serve a critical outdoor recreational
need for thousands of citizens. A caring community has sprung up around the
park. How did this decision happen with no public input?
Your message doesn't need to be long; it just needs to be heard. See the FOLF contacts page for city and state contact information.
JOIN
Sign-up as a member of Friends of Lighthouse Field here, and watch for an email from news@folf.org, that requires your confirmation.
Add your name to the more than 2,000 people who support off-leash recreation.
Don't have a dog? If
you enjoy seeing the dogs play, interacting with them at the Field or the
Beach, if you think the Field and Beach are safer and better because of the
caring community which has developed, or if you just agree with us, please
help!
Save off-leash access and recreation!
Make your views known. Don’t wait. Your voice counts.
WRITE TODAY!
Click here for Contact Info
What happened at the Parks & Rec Commission Meeting? (November 7, 2005)
There was a great community turnout at the Parks & Rec meeting, nearly filling the Council Chamber. About 20 to 25 people spoke in favor of off-leash access. The public comments were thoughtful and heartfelt. Recurring themes throughout the testimony included the expectation that the City would stand up for the community, especially since this matter had been decided through a long process; the importance off-leash access as it relates to the quality of life for many people; and the request that the City defend the current situation, defend our community, and negotiate with the state – not simply give in. One person spoke against off-leash dogs. More
