Dog Owners Pitted Against Paddlers in Redevelopment Plan
Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at 11:18PM Reported by: Sherri Palmeri
Email: sherri.palmeri@sandiego6.com
Last Update: 12/07 11:18 pm
It's dog owners versus paddlers in the battle over a dog park on Fiesta Island.
Paddlers made waves when they won the first round of this battle.
The City is putting together a major redevelopment plan for Fiesta Island that probably won't come to life for at least 8 years.
Dog owners want ot preserve a 90-acre area on the island that is fenced off and designated for off-leash use.
But the Mission Bay Park Planning Committee voted six to two that dog owners would have to share the off-leash area with paddlers.
The recommendation includes storage for paddlers and a road that would run through the fenced area, so paddlers and others, would have direct access to the water.
"It's a little ridiculous to hear them complain about having to paddle, to get to the sea," said Carolyn Chase who is with the group Fiesta Island Dog Owners, "when that's what they do."
Paddlers say all they've ever wanted is to share the park.
Fiesta Island and Ocean Beach were set aside for dogs in 1972, when dogs were banned from City beaches.
Dog owners say they will continue to fight what is expected to be a length approval process.
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