Off-Leash Hours for Del Mar Shores Park to Remain the Same

Dogs will continue to run free at Del Mar Shores Park, but only during the hours previously permitted by the city.

The Del Mar City Council Monday night voted 4-0 to continue the temporary shared-use plan for the park and maintain the off-leash hours already established. Del Mar City Councilwoman Lee Haydu was absent from the meeting.

In January, the council unanimously approved a six-month trial program that separated the hours at the public park for organized sports and off-leash dog use. After the ordinance expired on Aug. 22, a group of local dog owners called Del Mar K-9 Connections submitted a proposal to the city requesting that the off-leash area be reestablished and off-leash hours be expanded.

Roughly two dozen community members addressed the council, the majority of the speakers against the group’s proposal.

A number of parents urged the council to continue with the original compromise, which allows Little League and other licensed sporting groups to use the park from 4 p.m. to dusk on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Dogs are allowed to be off-leash from 6 to 8:30 a.m. every day and from 4 p.m. to dusk on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. All other daylight hours not included in the ordinance or used by the Winston School are reserved for general park use, with dogs on leashes and no organized sports.

“We want to keep families coming to Del Mar,” Jennifer McDowell said. “If we change things and make it so it’s not family-friendly … you’re not going to have people want to come to this community.”

Jane Quinn said she and her family used to frequent Del Mar Shores Park to play soccer and exercise, but stopped going to the park because her family does not feel safe.

“If we can’t go to the park and know that my daughter and I will be safe, than I just don’t want to go,” Quinn said. “I think it will be a real shame if we essentially prioritize dogs over the safety of our children.”

Several children also addressed the council. One child said she received a concussion after a dog knocked her down at the park.

“We love to play at that park, but we can’t play when the dogs aren’t on their leash,” said one child.

Another added: “We want to share with the dogs.”

Members of the Del Mar K-9 Connections requested off-leash access to the field beginning at 3 p.m. daily, subject to the Winston School special events, as well as Little League and other licensed sporting groups requests. They also proposed to share in the cost of the irrigation and maintenance of the field.

Wade Walker, a spokesperson for the group, said he received 250 signatures from dog owners in Del Mar and outlying communities in support of the proposal.

“What we noticed is that on the days that we’re not allowed, no one is there,” Walker said. “Parents bring their children down to the city council meeting, but they’re not bringing them down to the field.

“I would welcome it. All of us would welcome it.”

David Neault, a seven-year resident of Del Mar, agreed that the park “just isn’t being utilized to its fullest.”

Councilman Mark Filanc said the council should consider a third alternative where dog owners could also use the lower area of the park. He also suggested adding a structure for children to play on.

“We certainly want to maximize the use of the park,” Filanc said. “The more people we get to use it, the more benefit the community gets out of it.”

Del Mar officials eventually plan to outline use of the park in a master plan. Until then, Deputy Mayor Terry Sinnott said the city should maintain the current compromise and continue to monitor usage of the property. He also encouraged people to take advantage of the park during permitted hours.

“We as a council, I think, need to move ahead with that master plan as soon as we can, getting a clear picture of the relative priorities,” Sinnott said.