Off Leash Alternative

Seems the idea of a dog park in the City of Martinez is sparking interest as I've virtually ignored this particular blog for over a year but people are still finding it.

Baron and Snoop in fog

When I first began writing on this subject my mother was alive and the owner of two dogs, Snoop and Baron, pictured here. Now they're mine. The larger dog, Baron is a shepherd mix and at ten years old his muscular structure was under-developed. Walking large dogs sporadically, on leash, I've discovered isn't enough.


Thankfully we've found the road that used to join the City of Martinez and Port Costa, Carquinez Scenic Drive, now part of the San Francisco Bay Trail system. The road was closed to thru traffic by Contra Costa County a few years ago due to landslides but is easily walkable for people and dogs. Mine love it!

Both Baron and Snoop love scrambling over the varied terrain, investigating scents and meeting new friends. As a result, Baron's hindquarters are muscular and both dogs' weight is easily maintained.

As with any off-leash setting please consider the temperament of your dog before coming out. Since this part of the trail loop has been joined there are a greater number of cyclists also sharing the road. Many are first time visitors and can be startled by chasing dogs.

Until the City of Martinez can designate space for a dog park, this is a pretty good option. Now that Spring is here and the rain has let up you can expect to see me and my dogs there!

Comment From St. Paul

I picked up your piece from my Google news service (DOG PARKS HELP OUR TWO-LEGGED FRIENDS TOO, 8-26-08)I just want to say that you have very eloquently stated what in my opinion is the best rationale for dog parks -- that they foster a sense of community among users. To make the case locally to our parks and elected officials, I have been sharing a link to your article.Thought you would like to know.......Jan CarrSt. Paul MN
October 29, 2008 3:16 PM

Walnut Creek Dog Park

City of Walnut Creek
General Information
Dog Park Hours: Dawn to dusk (subject to change) weekdays; open 8 a.m. on weekends & holidays.The Dog Park is closed every Monday morning (excluding holidays) for routine maintenance.
To check on the current open/closed status of the Dog Park, call the Walnut Creek Turf Hotline at 925-256-3574.
Out of respect for the surrounding neighbors, please park your vehicle at the Dog Park when visiting.
History
On Nov. 17, 2007, the City opened the Walnut Creek Dog Park at the north end of Heather Farm Park. The one-acre off-leash dog area is fenced with segregated areas for small/senior dogs and large dogs. Parking and restrooms are available nearby, and the park is fully accessible to the disabled.
WCDOG, or Walnut Creek Dog Owners' Group, is an organization that advocates responsible dog ownership, supports off-leash dog exercise, and serves as a local educational resource to the community. WCDog worked with the City's Park, Recreation and Open Space Commission in the development of the dog park.

And An Opposing View

Being the blog moderator is kinda like being (emphasis on lower case) 'g'od. I get the pleasure of reading comments before they are posted and then decide whether or not to post them. Having experienced what it was like when Yahoo! had free-for-all forums, I admit I like it this way.

But being a constitutional freak - I believe in free speech no matter how much it personally offends me. So, David, here are your comments to the post by HJackson - minus offensive words:

"You think your dogs deserve space, just like children do?You're a selfish, greedy lazy dog owner and you don't 'deserve' squat.

The good thing is idiots like you will help bring out non dog owners to smack down this notion that your dogs are entitled to free public space to piddle in and generally trash."

The truth is that many people are responsible dog owners and know that creating an environment that is generally distasteful isn't in any one's best interests. What this poster - if he truly has an opinion on this subject or is merely a flamer - fails to note is that many cities are adopting a variety of open space models in order to foster a greater sense of community. It's smart and increases the level of citizen safety when we all get to know our neighbors better.

Walnut Creek just opened their dog park and from the pictures (no I haven't been personally -personal disclaimer I'm asmahtic so having them in my car offers a host of problems) it looks very inviting.

And what 'David' doesn't know is that HJackson along with myself are parents and are not just spoiled DINKS who don't 'get it'. One of our incumbent city supervisors, in explaining her stand on the notion of open space in perpetuity, clearly indicated that Martinez has many "slivers" of undeveloped open space. If having dog park space set aside within our current under-utilized public parks system is not acceptable apparently there are plenty of other options.

This Just In...

I have been a resident of Martinez since 1991. I have lived in downtown Martinez since 1987. I have been a homeowner in downtown Martinez since 1989. Why have I provided you all these dates...?

I have been a dog owner since I stepped foot into this town. Currently I have 3 dogs and 1 cat. I have walked many miles with my dogs around the streets of Martinez. We have attended Classic car shows, Peddler Faires, and MYBSA parades on Main Street. We have even entered them in the PedsWalk, Mutt Strutt and MEF 5K race/walk. Our dogs have spent many nights leaning on the wall near Bertolo's watching the Beavers. They have met many a good "canine" pal sitting in front of Starbucks with us.

But when it comes to having off leash privileges we have to put them in our truck and transport them to P.H. Paso Nagal dog park or W.C. Heather Farms dog park. It's time that our canine family members have a place to romp in Martinez as well as our children have a right to have playgrounds and organized sports opportunities. Many of our children are raising, training and walking these family dogs with us as well.

We have a Bond Measure coming on November’s ballot that specifically includes Martinez. We need to have Martinez City Council include their canine residents in their forward plan for these Contra Costa Parks Bond monies. There has got to be a spot in one of our many existing parks that could be re-configured to include an Off Leash Dog Park for our four legged canine Martinez Residents.

HJackson, downtown Martinez resident...

One Man's Thoughts

Although I'm still a property owner in Martinez, I haven't lived there for about 10 years. That's beside the point, Martinez does need a dog park. I am owned by a beagle, and belong to a beagle group. This group visits dog parks in the entire bay area. Many of the "better people friendly cities" have dog parks. Our group alone will bring up to 40 -50 beagle owners, and their dogs to these various cities, on a twice a month schedule. Martinez has the space, for a park similar to the one in Danville, or Castro Valley, and placed in the proper location would make people aware of what the downtown, and waterfront areas have to offer. Lot's of luck in getting anything done! Donna, my ex-wife tried for years, and was mostly unsuccessful with Martinez politics.

Pound Puppies | Baron and Snoop