Debate on Ducks and Dogs

Last month we reported on the ducks and dogs and here's the most recent update.

THE DUCKS

Saturday the City is sponsoring a workshop about the Village Pond Park. It starts at 9:30 am and will be held at Lake 1 Clubhouse on Ridge Route. The workshop is in response to many complaints about the park, including

·       Filth from bird feces

·       Filthy water from bird feces

·       Problems with crime

Click here for more info

The problems with the ducks and geese stem from the City’s policy of not enforcing the ban on feeding the birds. As a result, the numbers of birds has grown every year, and the filth grows as well. The City still, to this date, has not taken the proper steps to legalize the prohibition on feeding the ducks. Instead they have commissioned a study on how the Park can be changed, rather than simply addressing the problem of feeding the birds.

It will be interesting to see what the consultants came up with. Unfortunately, no one has seen a copy of their study, so everyone who attends will have to absorb the information quickly. You have to wonder what’s going on when a study doesn’t appear in advance. Even the City Council provides all the information necessary for people to participate in a meaningful way, days in advance, so when you show up there to discuss an issue, you are prepared. But I’m told that the consultants are “still working on it” even at this late date. Honestly, “still working on it”? Are these college kids who are cramming for a test, or did we hire professionals who get the job done in advance, share the information, so that the workshop can be more productive. It suggests they don’t want to engage in meaningful dialog, but simply want to tell us what they’ve planned. We should look forward to the workshop, but it could have been so much better if the information was in people’s hands first.

THE DOGS

Contrast the poor pre-workshop behavior of the Village Pond Park consultants with the excellent work done by the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) in their quest to find a place where dogs and their owners can frolic off leash. The PRC has slowly and surely held meetings, produced reports, held public forums, etc. and ultimately narrowed the choice to Darrin Park. You can read more about it by clicking here.

Next week, on Sept 19, the PRC will have another open meeting to get feedback about their plan. If approved by the PRC, Gary Magill and his staff will prepare preliminary budget figures for the costs of the improvements, and then ultimately their recommendation will find its way to the Council where several members (esp. Dwight Robinson who spearheaded this drive) have already expressed their desire for the City to have a dog park.

If you have a dog, or you’re in favor of a dog park, the PRC meeting next week will be a good place to come and express yourself. Alternatively you can write to Gary Magill at gmagill@lakeforestca.gov and he’ll get your message to the PRC.

DUCK, DOGS, AND ALL THE OTHER CRITTERS

The fact that ducks and dogs feature prominently this week in the City suggests that maybe the PRC or the Council itself should set up an Animal Advisory Committee to whom we can refer all matters which impact animals. Periodically the City has problems with coyotes, and this could go to the Committee as well. Not so long ago we have a duck botulism epidemic and the City was slow to respond. Perhaps a Committee could have helped in this situation. Other cities have faced issues with stores selling puppies from Puppy Mills but we have been spared this problem so far. Should it emerge, having resident experts and concerned citizens would be helpful. I don’t think an Animal Advisory Committee will be overwhelmed with work, but it would be nice to have some informed experts readily available if/when the City needs some sound advice.