The Cupertino Courier

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Pet owners want a more dog-friendly Cupertino

By Emilie Crofton

Many dog owners are chasing the idea of a dog park or having designated hours in Cupertino parks where their pets would be allowed to run free. They say they're frustrated at having to drive 10 to 15 minutes to the nearest dog park in a neighboring city.

"It's so silly to have to put your dog in a car for 15 minutes just to get them out and be able to run leash-free," says Betsy Dougherty, a dog owner and Cupertino resident.

Owners say a dog park in Cupertino would benefit more than the dogs.

"I've met a lot of people that I would never have met if I didn't have a dog," says Lisa Geifer. "It promotes a tremendous sense of community."

Geifer, a Cupertino planning commissioner, and other residents near Linda Vista Park, created the group Cupertino Doggie Mamas. The group has met up for brunch and dog-dates at the beach.

A dog park, Geifer says, would also benefit people with disabilities and elderly dog owners who are unable to take their dogs on long walks.

"They would be able to take their dogs to an off-leash area and sit on a park bench, all while being in compliance with the law," she says.

A group of dog owners, including Doughery and Mike Hsu, had begun meeting early mornings with their dogs at a Cupertino park before they were informed by the Santa Clara County's division of animal control that having

their dogs off-leash was a misdemeanor.

"When we were at parks early in the morning, no one else was ever there," Dougherty says. "It's an underutilized time at the park. It would be nice to use that time for the dogs."

Dog owners suggest designating early-morning hours at parks for their dogs to go off leash. They say that option would be legal and less expensive than creating a dog park.

Therese Smith, director of Cupertino Parks and Recreation, says creating a dog park or designating park hours for dogs to be off-leash at local parks is unlikely because nearby residents and park users would most likely be against the idea.

"It's not a good place in any of the local parks because it's always going to impact somebody," Smith says. "No one wants a dog park right near their backyard fence."

Smith adds that the limited space in Cupertino's already small parks would also be an issue.

"You would need a minimum of half an acre for a dog park and our parks are pretty small. You would need enough of an area that wouldn't displace something else like soccer," Smith says.

Smith also expressed safety concerns with establishing designated hours when dogs can run free.

"It's not a very good solution for people who are terrified of dogs," she says. "People will worry for the safety of themselves and their children."

Hsu says the dogs owners take to local parks aren't the dogs residents should be worried about.

"If you cannot control your dog, they should not be off the leash. The majority of the dogs you find at the park are friendly and love to socialize," Hsu says. "A tired dog is a well-behaved dog. Our dogs need to have a place to exercise."

What dog owners need, Geifer says, is a dog park advocate.

"The topic has been on and off for at least a decade. We've had prior city council members advocating dog parks but it always fell through," she says. "No one on council is a champion of the concept. Having a dog park is an idea that's far beyond its time."

Dougherty once attempted to be that advocate and contacted Cupertino Parks and Recreation. She was told there was not enough interest by residents.

"I was surprised," Dougherty says. "I know there's a lot of interest out there."

Last October Dougherty started an online petition to gauge just how many people were interested in establishing a dog park, off-leash area or designated hours for off-leash dogs at local parks. Today the petition has more than 300 signatures.

Smith says, however, that the city has listened and that in past years offered a possible solution for a dog park. But residents, she says, never followed through.

"A few years ago an area within Stevens Creek County Park was identified as place where a dog park could be developed," Smith says. "The site has been out there for years but up to this point people haven't embraced it."

Establishing a dog park at Stevens Creek County Park would be the best answer, Smith says.

"It's a spot that wouldn't bother anyone but it is out of the way," Smith says. "If Cupertino dog owners want a dog park, Stevens Creek County Park would be the easiest solution."

Dougherty's petition to have a Cupertino dog park can be found at www.thepetition.com/1/cupertino-dog-park.