On Monday, March 15, 2010, Dog Friends of Lafayette Park met at Stuart Hall High School to discuss the bond measure and how it might affect dog owners, prior to the April 22nd 2010 Meeting.  In attendance were 40 or so park users.  The meeting was led by Steffen Franz (Board Member, Friends of Lafayette Park), with guests Marianne Bertuccelli (NSM, SF RPD), Sally Stephans (Member, SF Dog), Steven the gardener at LP, and Jacob Gilchrist (Community Liaison, SF RPD). Also in attendance were Friends Of Lafayette Park board members Art Persyko, and Shila Clement.
 
The purpose of the meeting was to reach a consensus regarding where the funding will be best used to improve the park experience for dog owners. There were many points expressed and it is clear that many people have desires for the park which very important to them. The goal of this meeting was to get as much feedback and as many suggestions as possible and then identify the 10 or so points that could and would be presented at the upcoming April 22nd official public input meeting.
 
The following are the most frequent suggestions:

• Lighting (Possibly Solar)
• Drainage and Irrigation Problems fixed
• More than one Off-Leash Area (separate areas for big and small dogs)
• Waste Bags
• Water Fountain in Dog Area
• Entire Park Off-Leash at Non-Peak Times
• More Signage in the Dog Area Listing Dog Rules, etc.
• More Trash Bins
• Fencing in the Dog Area
• More Seating/Benches
• Use of Non-Toxic Herbicides

 These by no means express every single suggestion either at the meeting or on the “use” survey that has been running on FOLP’s website over the past few months. It is a broad stroke that does represent over 100 peoples’ thoughts as to what issues would be most important to be considered moving forward. We will continue to collect many of the ideas suggest by the public and post them on the site.

Thanks to everybody who anticipated in this event, and we look forward to your continued involvement at the April 22nd public input meeting.

SFPD has increased patrols in the park, and we thank them for the improved safety for all. Please note as a result of this, that some dog friends whose companions are off leash at the time of patrol may have received some warnings from police. The designated off-leash dog area is along Sacramento Street at Octavia, next to the tennis courts.