Survey Shows Off-Leash Recreation is a 50 Year Tradition

In late October 2007, FOLF carried out a survey effort to contact people who enjoy off-leash recreation at Lighthouse Field and Its Beach in order to learn more about how long they or their families have been doing so. We asked them to speak only from personal experience. This effort was conducted primarily by email and also with some on-site contact with park users. In a few days we obtained 127 responses, stating the number of years they've been enjoying off-leash recreation. In most cases we also obtained commentary detailing each person's experiences and their views about the importance of off-leash access. We provided the results to City and State officials and included the information in our recent court action.

59% of the responses indicate off-leash usage that pre-dates the rules put in place in 1993. 17% of the usage pre-dates the creation of LFSB as a State Park. The oldest stated usage is 51 years.

This survey provides strong documentation of a traditional longstanding land usage for Lighthouse Field and Its Beach. As a number of the participants noted, at times there were no leash rules, while at other times any such rules were not enforced in practice. In 1993 rules were introduced by the City (with State Parks knowledge and concurrence) which formally permitted off-leash recreation during certain hours. These rules are a compromise to formally endorse off-leash recreation for part of the day while restricting the all-day usage that characterized the previous decades. Off-leash recreation has clearly been a continuous usage for 50+ years.

The survey participants also had the opportunity to tell their stories, and nearly all of them gave us verbatim comments:

• Most comments explain how important this is to everyone's daily quality of life, including health and mental well-being. This is not a minor issue, it is critically important to them. For example, several longtime residents indicated that if Santa Cruz couldn't find a way to protect this resource, they were considering moving away. Others said they had specifically purchased their homes because of proximity to this resource.
• A great many people pointed out how the presence of our community protects LFSB, and how the environment will inevitably degrade as a result of rampant illegal camping, parties, drinking, drug use and other abuse that is certain to occur if we're eliminated.
• People wrote about how the park environment has improved in more recent years as off-leash recreation was formally permitted and as park users became organized and active. They noted how safe and clean the area is, in contrast to past years and in contrast to some other parks.
• People value the social bonds formed at the Field and Beach as they are brought together by their common interest in off-leash recreation. Several people met their future spouses this way, and there was one touching story of a marriage saved and re-kindled.
• Some people without dogs mentioned they come specifically because they enjoy the good atmosphere and social interaction created by off-leash recreation.