Our Proposal
Our Purpose
We want the Mayor and the City Council to adopt a sound and realistic precise plan that allows us to retain our coastal access and that does not render the island useless for our current and future recreational needs. We want to save the 90 acre off-leash area in the south east corner, not just for the dog owners but for all citizens who enjoy a more primitive environment in which to exercise.
- Current plan results in a loss of active recreational space and the addition of other intrusive uses within our fenced area.
Our Concerns
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Loss of contiguous 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).
- Road to the boat storage area will result in the loss of contiguous space.
Cost to Taxpayers
The city is cutting back on police officers, fire fighters, and other city services. Park and Recreation is closing recreation centers, city pools, and reducing services. The city's aging infrastructure is in shambles and desperate need of repair. In the meantime, the city plans to unnecessarily spend millions of dollars on Fiesta Island.
- Estimated $130 million (in today's dollars - 2011) conflicts w/ city’s financial priorities
- Creates ongoing maintenance expense estimated at over $1million / year
- City argues that money will come from State and Federal grants, but that is still taxpayer dollars!
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Loss of access due to special events
The City plans to move special events out of Crown Point and other surrounding areas of Mission Bay, and on to Fiesta Island. We are concerned that these events will be placed inside our fenced, off-leash area, taking away the access from all current users for a significant number of days.
Safety issues
This is the only large, fenced area away from vehicular traffic where kids and dogs can play safely.
- Access gates to road could be left open, dogs and kids on roads.
- Smaller areas increase potential for dog conflicts.
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Our Proposal
Re-locate Paddler Aquatic Activity Site across channel to South Shores or to Mariners Point
- South Shores and Mariners Point already have most of the existing, expensive infrastructure (beach, roads, restrooms, parking lots, etc.) requested by paddlers.
- Paddler representatives initially selected South Shores as an acceptable location.
- Utilizing existing infrastructure eliminates unnecessary and wasteful expense of redundant infrastructure on Fiesta Island.
- Removes conflict between paddlers and existing users who will both be trying to use the same beach and shoreline areas.
- Coastal Commission edict requires development of public recreation on South Shores as well as Fiesta Island.
Eliminate or shorten road that bisects open space.
- Reduces cross traffic that creates safety issue for bicyclists & runners who have lobbied to reduce cross traffic.
- Significant savings be eliminating additional roads, bridges, fencing.
- Significant savings by reducing redundant facilities by using existing South Shore facilities: large parking lot, access roads, restrooms, boat ramp, beach, etc.).
