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FIDO Proposal

The following information and proposal has been presented to the MBPC.

Our Purpose:

  • We want to work with MBPC to adopt a sound and realistic precise plan that allows us to retain our coastal access

  • •We are requesting that the city not adopt a precise plan that renders the island useless for our current and future recreational needs

  • –Current plan results in a loss of active recreational space

Our Concerns:

  • Loss of contiguous space

    • Road, parking lots, Bocce ball courts, tot-lot, swimming beach and boat storage will ‘segment’ and reduce the existing open space

    • Contiguous space lets people move about freely with their dogs, keeps adequate distance between groups, helps avoid conflicts and allows pursuit of various activities (hiking, training, ball throwing, biking, running)

  • Loss of shoreline access

    • Southern shoreline: new swimming area and paddle boat storage

    • Hidden Anchorage: no more wading

    • All will create congestion on western shoreline

  • Safety issues

    • Access gates to road being left open, dogs on roads

    • Smaller areas increase potential for dog conflicts

    • Bocce Ball & Tot-lot in center of off-leash area

  • Cost to Taxpayers

    • Estimated $130 million (per plan 4G) conflicts w/ city’s financial priorities

      • City is losing police officers

      • Aging infrastructure in need of repair

      • Reduced general public services (libraries, pools)

    • Creates ongoing maintenance expense estimated at over $1million / year

Our Proposal:

  • •Eliminate road that bisects open space & remove parking lots inside the fenced off-leash area.  

    • Reduces cross traffic that creates safety issue for bicyclists & runners who have lobbied toFIDO Proposal Map reduce cross traffic

    • Significant savings be eliminating additional roads, parking lots, bridge, fencing.

    • Locate Paddle Boat Storage across channel on South Shore, leveraging existing infrastructure

    • Significant savings by reducing redundant facilities by using existing South Shore facilities:

      • Existing Large parking lot, access roads, restrooms, Boat Ramp and beach

  • Locate the swimming beach elsewhere (seasonal use only)

    • Mitigate loss of Mission Bay Park total beach space by increasing size of beach on South Shore or elsewhere in Mission Bay Park

  • Locate Bocce Ball courts, Tot-lot and other single use activities to northwest corner of multi-use fenced area

    • Closer to parking lots

    • Single use activities out of off-leash traffic flow

    • Distance picnic areas away from the Least Tern site (predator concern)

  • Maintain access to Hidden Anchorage when skiers are not present

  • Maintain access to south and western shorelines for dog wading, training and swimming Hidden Anchorage: During off-skiing hours

  • Fiesta Island should remain off-leash when no conflict with other users or events Continue compatible multi-uses Successfully self-managed today

South Shore & Fiesta Island Require Development to Complete Master Plan
Simultaneous development provides economic advantages and more options to meet such a wide range of diverse needs

Summary:

  • San Diego has a wonderful opportunity to recognize and preserve the unique character of Fiesta Island

  • Other cities failed to plan for off-leash needs when the opportunity still existed

  • Open space is a thing of the past in San Diego

  • It isn’t the same cookie cutter “cement tables and turf” type park experience It supports the diverse needs of families with and without dogs

  • We need to preserve off-leash use throughout the Island Allow our open and large off-leash fenced area to remain in its entirety

“Fiesta Island should be a place where city residents and visitors alike find the
ultimate refuge from urban congestion, noise and visual clutter.”
Master Plan 1994

 

Last Updated: 04/29/2008