Wasn't the dog park scheduled to open already?

I know the TO dog park is very popular. I've driven by and the place is packed in the evenings.

Of course, I'm just not totally sure what the difference is with a dog park and a regular park. We take our dogs to a regular park and walk them and they seem to like it all the same.

Over the past few years, there has been call after call for affordable housing from one end of Ventura to the other. In light of this growing crisis, is a dog park the best use of land and space?

I understand the importance of quality of life and a dog park is part of that, but doesn't it seem strange that developers are setting aside land for a dog park while many young families are leaving this area to find better more affordable housing opportunities.

I can count on two hands the friends and family living in other states due to better cost of living.

Is the outflow of long time residents to other areas a worthy discussion?

Dogs are not allowed off leash at city parks. That means the mythical frisbee throwing would earn you a ticket.

Simi Valley has been built up so much that there isn't a safe and legal place to throw a dog a frisbee. That just seems wrong.

It seems we have golf courses springing up everywhere. Same with multi-million dollar homes. But when it comes to something many would enjoy there is no room.

Brian,

The dog park is approved for Big Sky Park. It will be built in the second phase of that park, when funds become finalized, expected within one or two years. Park District administrators can provide further details.

Who is paying for it? It is expected to be finished in 1-2 years? That makes it 2009 or so if there are no delays?

There are two Americas. One where people can go to a local park and throw a ball to their pet and another America where throwing a ball off leash gets you a ticket. There doesn't need to be. One America. One America where we ALL can let our dogs run!

Why is Simi Valley always playing catch up to Thousand Oaks? By the time we finish our dog park they will have a cat park.

I got an update from the Park District. They still need to get the land and that will be negotiated in 2007, after Shea homes finishes the Big Sky development, then they'll start planning. Should be open by 2008. They'll be a small and large off-leash area, north of Big Sky and the Water tower.

Dogs add to our quality of life, no matter your income. I'm sure low income families living in apartments would especially like an off leash area to run their dog.

I go to the TO park now. I thoroughly enjoy watching my dog run as fast as she can and play with her dog friends, and throw the ball for her. She wouldn't get this even in a back yard. I go there about once a week at least, and am making friends too. It's a great social place for the dogs and the people. It will be a much needed and appreciated park.

The Bloughs of the world throw a red herring to the public against a dog park, instead of a bone to the dogs. Much affordable housing lacks a yard for a dog. But with a dog park there can ONE AMERICA again.

I am glad that the park might be built. Although the idea that someone let the developer give the land last was not a bright idea. If they are donating the land why can't it be done now? The Christmas puppies should have a chance to play sooner reather than later.

Yet another sign a suburb is changing, a dog park.
Hopefully there will be StarBucks by it.

I believe middle class families seeking affordable housing is extremely important in this growing crisis. Owning a home is extremely important because it allows firefighters, teachers, police officers, and people with hard earned incomes the ability to obtain their well-earned American dream.

If I have to sacrifice my ability to throw a frisbee to my dog in public to get more affordable homes in town, than I'd make that choice and urge the leadership to do it everytime.

I also think calling people's dreams to obtain a home of their own a red herring is a disgrace.

I called it a red herring because you throw more fish than pier 37 dock worker!

The park has already been approved and land in a million dollar plus area set aside. If the developer didn't grant the land prices would tumble to the low millions...Not quite the affordable land you are talking about.

Why can't you focus on the task at hand? Building the park sooner rather than later.

I think we can have our homes and throw a frisbee too.

Like I said, but was deleted by Brian.

I'd be all for converting an existing or part of a park into a dog park, but to me when we have affordable housing challenges in our community it seems somewhat callous to the needs of the people locked out of homes to say we are building a dog park that generally only is used on weekends and in the evenings instead of focusing on the issues of affordability.

Tell a teacher or a firefighter to their face who is looking to buy a home for his/her family in Simi that we decided to build a dog park instead. I'd like them to respond to that question if any are reading.

Mr. Blough:

1. The question is not to support a dog park over "affordable" housing. The land is already set aside for the dog park. The real issue is to make sure promises are kept and the project is finished in a timely manner.

Are you against all parks? Your argument could be applied to all parks. I hope you aren't against all parks. That is sad. But it would make room for more houses.

2. The homes are in Big Sky are starting out way above $800,000. If they were able to fit another couple of homes in they are not going to drop down to the "affordable" level. Most teachers and firefighters are not buying million dollar homes. And if they are there are many options. There isn't a line of teachers trying to buy million dollar homes facing shortages. Besides, you throw the red herring of highly sympathetic jobs. Why don't you care so much about automechanics or insurance salespeople? They have families too.

3. I guess you are fine being second to Thousand Oaks. But most of us aren't.

4. I will gladly tell anyone looking to buy a million dollar home that we chose to build another park instead. Then I would give them a handy map to the many, many new million dollar homes being built.

5. Why is it you care so much it is a dog park? if it was a normal park would you be just as mad? Who are you to judge what is an acceptable park and what is not? Are you a park ranger?

The only real questions left are about the specifics about the dog park and how long until the gates open. I look forward to working with more people on these issues.

Together, with people like Scott Blough who have many skills we can get this park open!

Please post any related meeting dates that anyone sees.

Red Herring:

We have a scarcity of land issue and housing issue. I'm not against dog parks as you like to say, but disagree with the prioritization. What is most disnconcerting is that you see things in clear class terms.

If five more $800,000 dollar homes open up, then that usually means five families who have been sitting on yearly increases and equity can move to those homes and sell their condo or single family residence.

Yes, that benefits teachers, insurance people, firefighters, and everyone else in the middle who earn strong salaries, but are now going elsewhere.

Just because it's an $800,000 dollar home doesn't mean it won't aid the starter home market.

In terms of measuring up to TO, we already have a great community and there isn't something in my psyche that says whatever TO does we have to do.

If you're always looking in someone else's front yard, you'll never be happy with what you have.

It starts at $800,000, which really means it is much more. You said people were moving out of state because of high prices created by parks.

Explain.

Why do you want to eliminate parks?

So were just making up stuff now!!! I'm sorry I don't waste my time debating fiction writers.

Scott,

I don't think there is anything to debate. The park is already planned and scheduled. The only issue is the progress on opening the park.

Now that the park cannot be turned into housing, can we all agree to try to streamline it?

I'm against a dog park because it'll cause disease outbreaks. We can't even get everyone to register their dogs and get proper vaccinations, now we want to reward these same people with an outbreak zone in Simi.

Many communities are seeing outbreaks from diseases as a result of this well-intentioned idea gone bad.

Go run with Grizzlies if you want to be free with animals. It's just as safe.

Protect your pet, avoid dog parks.

Do not bring your dogs to parks of any type. The same logic would dictate. In fact, don't walk your dog.

Of course, the alternative could be do get your shots for your dog.

We could also set up low cost shots right at the entrance to the park. We could have animal control do stop by visits and check if dogs have their permits. This would require good governance and will likely be done when this already approved project is complete.

Who do we call to see if the process can be sped up?

That's exactly what I'd like to know, Reddest Herring! The land is chosen and promised. I'm sure many residents want the dog park ASAP. Putting my four dogs (one of which hates cars) in my car and driving out to T.O. just doesn't work for me. Does anybody know the answer to Red Herring's question??

I want Scott Blough to help us. I bet he would do a great job if he cared.

I went to the Thousand Oaks dog park today. The pace was packed. There was all sorts of people and dogs. The biggest stand out was a meeting of great danes and their owners. On the way home Rancho Park in Simi Valley looked pretty empty.

A dog park would be very well used and doesn't require the same amenities of other parks. In fact, the TO dog park doesn't have bathrooms, doesn't have paved parking, and the grass is pretty barren in many parts.

I look forward to the dog park opening in Simi Valley. I expect to be there opening weekend.

Any city official that gets it done quicker will earn my vote and support.

If you have been to the TO dog park you will see many people from Simi Valley. It will be nice when we have a park of our own without driving to another town.

Get rid of all the illegal aliens in Simi and there will be plenty of room for a dog park. (American dogs of course!)

I would really like to know if there have been any updates to the dog park as of the last posting. I love taking my dogs out to the dog park but do not like the car drive to T.O. just as other dog owners are feeling. I am also not willing to use our school fields as dog parks because there have been so many owners that have done this and left messes making it difficult for the rest of us to make Simi a dog friendly. We really need this park for all the dog owners who have purchase new homes with very small yards, people in apartments or condos with no yards, to get people out of our schools and for dogs and owners to socialize. Also, it helps enforce our dog laws by giving people a place to take their dogs off leash and all dogs have to by up to date on shots and licensing and have their tags worn to use a dog park. Simi is behind many other communities when it comes to our pets. We don't even have a Dog Defecation Removal Ordinance. That is sad!

What will it take to get the City Council to take action on this long overdue promise? If you contact the City they say its not their problem and they refer you to RSPD (www.rspd.org). If you call them you also get a non-useful response. If you check their website there is nary a mention of the dog park or its progress except for a single sentence in the Press Release for Big Sky Park which states "Future plans for the site include an off-leash dog park".

Having been a member of the community for 25 years the Dog Park discussion has flared up several times, with many logical intermediate suggestions rejected, statements made and no action taken. There was an article in the Acorn back in 2005 with a quote stating the dark park would be completed in Summer 2006 (Big Sky Park original opening date). Again no action; no statement; no response.

I agree with the above statement that I would gladly support any politician who takes positive action to quickly resolve this matter. At the very least make a schedule and inform the community and stick to it! No more promises, just results.

In the meantime, some of the previously suggested intermediate ideas could be invoked. For instance making certain underused parks become available during restricted hours for off-leash use, say 6-8am and 6-9pm when most of the parks are underutilized anyway.

If you visit the TO Dog Park, one will discover that a very high majoritiy of users police and cleanup after their dogs, and quickly. The park requires that dogs be licensed and vaccinated, and that misbehaved dogs be removed immediately. Further there is a number to report abuse, as well as a number to call during inclement weather to see if the park is open (to avoid wasting fuel driving to a park that might be closed). The TO community (Canejo Park District) takes this Dog Park seriously. About 18 months ago they even installed lighting to extend park hours to 9pm every day -- at the request of their citizens.

TO, graciously, allows neighboring communities such as Simi use their park. It is a safe, friendly place to commune with other dog owners while the dogs enjoy the ability do participate in activities other than walking on-leash.

The above mentions about Seattle and Manhattan are true. In addition you should note that in Europe, trains, restaurants, shops, stores, etc readily accept pets (more than just dogs) with the full expectation that the owners will be responsible. The cities and rural communities alike accept this practice openly -- it is custom and practice. But not here.

In any event I support the previous post in asking for an informed response from an official who can be held accountable for that response. It's a shame that RSPD places such a low priority on the dog park and that it has failed in its responsibility to keep the community up-to-date on its activities.

If others share this view, speak up. Let us be heard! This is no way for our elected and paid officials to treat members of our community.

Recently there have been several new articles in the Acorn and the Simi Valley Star about our dog park. With these articles and conversations that I have had with others in the community about the delay in the park it seems that delays are pointing to the Master Plan Developer. I recently sent an email to City Council members, Park and Rec. Managers and a few others in our community regarding a Dog Defecation Removal Ordinance, which sadly we do not have, and opening the dog park. I hadn’t thought of contacting the developer Shea Homes until these article came out. I was wondering if anyone else had heard anything about the developer or tried to contact them for answers.