San Clemente Needs a Dog Park

* As a citizen and dog owner of San Clemente for more than 15 years, I urge the City Council, city manager, Beaches, Parks and Recreation Department and commissioners to seriously consider establishing a dog park in San Clemente. This issue has been raised before, most recently at the Parks and Recreation board meeting Nov. 9.

When a dog creates a disturbance or “makes a mess,” it is the owner’s responsibility; not the dog’s. A “bark park” such as the one in Laguna Beach proves that most dog owners are responsible: They clean up after their dogs (and also clean up after the small percentage of owners who are irresponsible). And dogs that are playing off-leash seldom get into fights. This has also been demonstrated in Laguna Beach.

Since the San Clemente Animal Shelter is in a temporary location and a permanent location is needed, it would seem to be “prime time” to establish a dog park at the same time. The shelter would have a place to exercise their dogs, and could share the same location with the citizens of San Clemente and their dogs.

This idea is not new. In addition to Laguna Beach, at least two other nearby cities, Redondo Beach and Costa Mesa, are in the process of establishing dog parks. It will benefit the entire community to have a designated dog park where dogs can get the exercise they need, and people without dogs can enjoy “dog-free” parks.

MARY H. GLENDINNING

San Clemente