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Final Dog Policy (May 8, 2002)
Questions and Answers
Dog Policy Brochure (PDF)
Dog Policy Meetings
May 8,2002
As the Dept. embarks on a 10-year, $400 million capital plan, it is imperative that an off leash dog policy is adopted and in place as park design and renovation discussions begin. The intent of this policy is to set up a group or groups of citywide criteria that pertain to the diversity of parks and open spaces that define San Francisco. The Recreation and Park Department is the steward of wide ranging unique landscapes and has the responsibility to make wise decisions on land management practices.
The Department recognizes the strength and character of the communities that have developed while recreating with a dog. It is the intention of the Department to increase opportunities for these unique communities to develop. We recognize the positive influences these communities bring to neighborhood parks. While the policy, on the face of it, appears to be restrictive, its purpose is to create more places for legitimate off leash use in our parks. Just blanket enforcement of the current law would definitely undermine that use. Inadvertently, off leash use has created conflict with the rich breadth of uses our parks are host to. The Department is committed to facilitating solutions that allow these uses to coexist peacefully.
Since releasing the draft dog policy on June 12, 2001 the Department has reviewed and considered over 2,700 responses to that document. Nearly 300 staff hours were spent reading, evaluating and incorporating suggestions from the public. While many said they disagree with the policy we found several areas of common ground. Most citizens, whether dog owners or not, like the idea of having designated off leash zones. Most citizens would also like the clean up laws enforced and a majority would like the leash laws enforced. However, that said, it is clear that there was a tremendous amount of confusion surrounding the draft dog policy. The purpose of the policy is to provide guidelines and rules so that civilized compromises can be reached in each community for balancing many conflicting land uses.
The following document is a reflection of the findings and a revision of the policy. Please note that the changes are noted in red.
last updated: 12/2/2005
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