KTU+A States:
The Master Plan did not allow for dog use. The dog owners started with
zero acreage in the Master Plan and now they have 95 fenced acres.
Fact:
The Master Plan did not mention dogs, as well as rocket launching, kite
boarding and several other current uses. It only states that Fiesta
Island serve "a diversity of recreational uses". The
plan segments the existing 93 acres into four small fenced areas, which limits the ability for
human exercise, does not allow users to walk the perimeter as you can
today, and the smaller segments creates potential for dog conflict.
KTU+A States:
Total
Fiesta Island acreage available to dogs is 375 acres or 77% of the
island.
Fact:
77% is misleading. Only 93 acres (18%) is fenced off-leash area and
much of the remaining acreage is restricted to on-leash only.
KTU+A States:
We will have 1.02 miles of shoreline access in the fenced off-leash
area.
Fact:
They are including the 0.64 miles of shoreline along Hidden Anchorage
where the proposed plan DOES NOT ALLOW your dog to walk in the water.
KTU+A States:
The current leash free loop is 1.84 miles and the new 4G plan will
create 3.03 miles.
Fact:
The 3.03 miles is a convoluted path that requires passing through gates,
crossing roads and moving between the segmented areas. It reduces our
ability to move freely in the fenced areas and avoid large groups of
owners/dogs. Additionally, it increases the potential for dog and user
conflicts.
KTU+A States:
The
current use by dogs is 1.18 dogs/acre.
Fact:
Usage per acre is a
manipulative measurement for determining appropriate
use. We are the only user group to which this statistic is being
applied.
Examples:
-
Using their number of 112 dogs at any given time and accounting for 2
owners per dog the number is reduced to .28 acres per user.
-
Using the same logic, Rocket
Launchers utilizing the Over The Line area at any given time
could result in 10 acres per user!
It is clear this statistic is easily manipulated to prove either side of
the argument.
KTU+A States:
FIDO wants Fiesta Island to remain unchanged.
Fact:
FIDO
wants the island developed so 'ALL' users continue to enjoy the island as
they do today while preserving its character.
KTU+A States:
They elicited and collected public input regarding the plan.
Fact:
Their
questionnaires were slanted to elicit positive comments about the
plan. The OVERWHELMING majority of attendees at their public meetings
were dog owners who 'opposed' the plan.
KTU+A States:
They consulted with the major user groups of the island.
Fact:
Other User Groups were invited to meet with the developer, FIDO was
NOT. We represent the largest user group of the island. As early as
October 2006, FIDO requested to be part of the planning process and were
denied.
KTU+A States:
They are required to create a new swimming beach and it has to go on the
south end of the fenced-in leash-free area.
Fact:
There are many under-utilized swimming beaches that already
exist in Mission Bay Park that could be enhanced when or if
funds exist. This shoreline is the ONLY fenced area shoreline
where families can recreate with their dogs and there are no
prospects for it to be replaced anywhere else.
KTU+A States:
There
are no alternative locations to move the proposed swimming beach due to
water pollution and water craft safety issues.
Fact:
Phase I of the plan remedies the water pollution issues.
In addition, the east shores are the calmest and safest waters on the
island.
The bottom line is
there are far better options that meet the needs
of
"ALL" Fiesta Island Users without displacing one User Group for
another.
FIDO is working hard with the city to implement more
optimal solutions.
