FIDO Update Page

–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 to 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
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