FIDO Facts About Leash-free Areas on Fiesta Island

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Facts

San Diego City Council June 11, 2002, resolutions continued off-leash areas, including Fiesta Island

–“Whereas there continues to be an unmet recreational demand by the public for areas where dogs can legally be off-leash, and whereas the City Council recognizes that off-leash dog activity to be a valid recreational use; and, whereas areas authorized to be off-leash areas benefit the residents of San Diego”

•San Diego Municipal Code 63.20,12 (d) amended 11/19/2001

–“Legally licensed dogs shall be allowed to go unleashed in Fiesta Island”

•San Diego City Council April 12, 1999 resolution retained Fiesta Island as an off-leash area.

40% of San Diego households have dog(s)

–700,000 dogs currently in San Diego County

–Number and percentage of households with dogs is increasing annually

•Fiesta Island is the only large off-leash area that will support this growth 40,000 acres of public parkland in San Diego

–Only 41 acres of off-leash areas aside from Fiesta Island

•1500 other acres in Mission Bay Park where dogs are prohibited during daylight hours

San Diego City General Plan Recreation Element Goals:

–“Provide a diverse range of active and passive recreation opportunities”

–“Provide a park and recreation facilities that are designed to accommodate the needs of a diverse population”

•San Diego City General Plan “City of Villages” framework

–Less than 4% of the city is vacant, available for development

–Goal is higher density in existing communities

–Adds pressure on already overused small neighborhood dog parks

–Will drive more dog owners to Fiesta Island

•Loss of off-leash areas in other parts of Fiesta Island will push more people and dogs into the fenced, off-leash area

–Enchanted Cove shoreline

–Regional parklands

–Primitive camp area

–Natural habitat area

Last Updated: 04/29/2008