I’ve been a Redondo Beach resident for a little over a year now. My fiancé and I relocated from Santa Barbara before the pandemic, but have truly felt at home in Redondo beach with all of its charm. But like many residents in Redondo Beach, we don’t have access to a backyard, so we choose to walk the beautiful city parks multiple times a day with our dog, Bowie. We appreciate and respect the neighborhood we call home, and walking through the park with our dog has become a family activity that we would hate to lose.

The parks of Redondo Beach allow residents to socialize with their neighbors and give dogs an opportunity to safely decompress on leash. After the year we all had, we deserve to enjoy the beautiful parks in our neighborhood with our dogs. I’ve personally witnessed countless, local residents; men, women, children, the elderly and handicapped enjoy our local parks with their dogs in tow. My heart breaks when I think of them and the many local households this will affect.

The majority of us are responsible and respectful, and deserve the freedom to walk the parks with our dogs. As someone who recently relocated from a beach city that’s extremely dog friendly, I’ve seen the true benefits and experience it on a daily basis myself! I hope you can too.

The limited park space in Redondo Beach is no place for dogs. They defecate, urinate, intimidate, attack, fight with other dogs, and disturb the peace. Moreover, dog owners are irresponsible in that they tolerate such behaviors as is easily observed; fecal matter and smears are plainly evident. The city rarely enforces any applicable laws.

I oppose dogs in Parkette’s with children’s play structures.
Please look at personal emails with pictures that I sent you early today.
There are so many dog owners that are going to the La Paz Parkette that don’t follow the rules. They sit on a bench play on there phones and let there dogs run free. I see it everyday. I just don’t have time to take pictures every moment of the week.
First of all I love dogs . I love dogs. I’ve owed several. I have five grand puppies .
Even though these dogs are all trained, licensed and vaccinated one of these dogs could jump, chase or bite a child.
No owner could ever truly know if there dog would bite especially if the family dog is protecting a child. Children behave aggressive and they run , scream. This could scare a dog and cause the dog to bite a child.
I’ve also noticed that since the dogs have been peeing on the would chip and in the sand or dirt . That the children’s hand are black and muddy. There is no water at this park. I saw a nanny with a toddler say he is all muddy. That wasn’t mud it was dog poop.
The city of Redondo and the residents spent over 90 thousand on this park. We as the residents keep this park looking nice. I personally don’t want to combat dog poop everyday before I let them play.
Please keep La Paz Parkette child safe,
Debra Wingood

I think opening the parks to dogs has been amazing. At least for me and my pup who needs a lot of physical activity. I only take him to the parkettes or parks when there's no one there (no kids, no other dogs) and after he has walked and 'emptied' his bowels and bladder. I pick up 100% of his poop on the street and he has never pooped in the parks. I do not see poop in the parks, maybe once or twice. Unfortunately, the dog park on 190th is not friendly. Like others mentioned, there are too many aggressive dogs, owners often don't pay attention and dogs fight, growl and are not super friendly. I stopped going because our dog has been harassed there too much. Having to drive to neighboring towns and dog parks is not always possible. I really think the RB dogs need more friendly space in the neighborhood.

All the other beach cities allow dogs in the parks, why doesn't Redondo? There are always bad seeds in all walks of life, but that doesn't mean there is a blanket prohibition for all. Bad parents exist all the time. Bad kids do, too. I have gotten crashed into a few times by uncontrolled kids on scooters and bikes in the park. I'm asked all the time to move over on the sidewalk for them. These are just a couple examples of bad behaviors from children in parks, but most are great. But, the complaints are about SOME dog owners and not most. So, with that reasoning, maybe we should ban kids from parks, too? Or maybe we can require them to be on a short leash. Those opposing are mostly opposing dogs being allowed in parkettes. I can understand that opposition, but not for the parks.

Residents should absolutly have the option to simply go to a park with their dog and relax. Surely it is a form of discrimination not allowing dog parents to use the city parks for their enjoyment also? I mean would you ban children just because parents leave dirty diapers in the city trash cans in the parks or because they scream so loud when they are playing? I implore you live and let live! Maybe have some kind of City Website Page for photo submittals of dog parents not picking up their dog poop?

I think people forget the difference between a dog park and walking your dog through a park.
Dog parks are off leash and a very chaotic environment. I have not ever utilized a dog park for that specific reason. Residents should have the option to simply go to a park with their dog and relax. Really simple.

Totally support this. Weird it is even a pilot/practice program. There are always going to be bad actors. It's life.

100% support allowing dogs on leash in specified parks within the City. With over 30 parks & parkettes across our City, it is without a doubt that within each district some parks should allow dogs with their owners. Are some dog owners irresponsible? Of course they are. Just like some parents are irresponsible parents to their human children. If the City is unable to come to an agreement on what parks allow dogs maybe we should consider what parks allow kids? That way we don't have irresponsible parents leaving diapers, toys, food, and trash behind from their child. Just a thought.

Also, I am 100% certain that no one here is a poop expert. The left behind feces... how are we certain that all of that belongs to a dog? Maybe consider coyotes, raccoons, stray cats, other animals defecate too and they don't have owners cleaning it up.

This seems like a silly item to still be discussing. If we were considering wild exotic animals like zebras and lions, we should discuss further... but it's a dog and over 36% of residents in our city have one - that number may have increased drastically since so many people got pets during the pandemic.

Lastly, I am a tax paying resident who also pays for a city license for my dog. I would expect my own City to allow me to take her for a walk in a park.

I believe small parkettes should be kept dog-free. A significantly growing number of people with unleashed dogs are acting like these beautiful parkettes are their own backyards. I've started seeing dog poops in the small parkette close to my house lately and it's very frustrating to see small children playing in such an environment. I strongly support big parks to allow leashed dogs, but strongly oppose allowing dogs in small parks and parkettes.

We have many dog friendly parks in Redondo Beach, which are larger and frankly more suited for a dog to run out, play and have fun. The Parkettes with play structures on the other hand, are used by children from age 0 and up, for picnics and playdates. Having dogs urinating over the grass areas and play structure base cause health risks especially for the younger children. On a leash or not, a dog would act by nature and mark its territory, which we see everyday in our Parkette. As a mother and a dog lover, I would kindly ask you to reconsider your decision and spare Parkettes with play structure for kids. Thanks

North Redondo Beach is park poor and a few irresponsible dog owners are ruining it for everyone. Dog poop is not picked up and dogs are let off leash. If we are to let dogs in parks, then there should be enforcement of leash and pooper scooper rules with escalating fines for repeat offenders.

Can we work with RBUSD to reopen the school playgrounds when school is out? I understand that they closed the playgrounds in response to dog poop. Can we buy cameras to find the perpetrators so that the kids don't have to pay the price for a few irresponsible dog owners?

Dog owners are treating the entire city-parks and other people's private property alike-as a bathroom.

We need parks for people first. Then we should build dog parks in each neighborhood. There should be consequences for irresponsible dog owners.

I support the dogs in parks program. It’s a start. Redondo Beach is so far behind the rest of the California coastal cites when it comes to being dog friendly, and for being a city with such a strong outdoorsy culture, it doesn’t make any sense in this day and age. There are way too many restrictions everywhere in the city, there is literally nowhere to take your dog. Redondo Beach can have so much more to offer. This pilot program can be the first step in that transition.

There are a few voices complaining of neglectful dog owners and it would be a shame to allow that to stop this much needed amenity. The issues being raised are directly due counterproductive restrictions and lack of dedicated dog spaces. We are active people, yet work and our dogs need exercise. Sidewalk leash walks are not enough for intelligent, active dog breeds. There is only one dog park here in Redondo and it’s currently cut in half and 90% dirty dirt. People come from all over South Bay and it gets overcrowded. You can't leave dogs in the car, leashed up outside places, nor leave them at home.

Unfortunately, the way things are, for active athletic dogs we have to commute for hikes, dog beaches and clean dog parks. As for complaints about non-compliant owners, also complaints that the poopy bags are not always stocked. I have a solution:

Depending on how many volunteers can be rounded up, a dedicated group can keep an eye on particular parks. They can provide as inexpensive donations pooper scoopers to be left near garbage cans in the parks. While checking on the park seeing a neglected pile we help each other out by picking it up as courtesy to others. Catching dogs in the act and pointing out to the owner where the scooper is usually works. If not, then eye roll and pick it up letting them know they’re not welcome if they can’t find it within themselves to be compliant. Having a clear, easy to read sign would help.

Volunteers can also help keep the poopy bag dispensers stocked.

I've seen people who go the extra mile to help out at the dog park. I’m confident there would be interest in organizing this kind of volunteer group if it meant it can lead to a more dog friendly Redondo.

Dog owners vote too. There are thousands of responsible dog owners in Redondo beach. I will vote against, and actively encourage others to vote against, anyone who supports removing our access to publicly funded parks. Thank you.

I implore you to keep allowing leashed dogs in city parks and encourage you to allow them in all parks. Dogs are beloved members of the families who call Redondo Beach home and thus have the same capability to be so to the community at large. We want residents to use our beautiful city parks and if we don’t allow them to bring their dog you’re discouraging dog owning families from doing so. These families will then attend parks in other local communities that allow dogs and not only spend time away from Redondo Beach but also subsequently spend money at area businesses outside of our city.

It’s best for all if we allow dogs in.

Thank you for your time.

Scott Kaestner

Dogs in the park is wonderful! It would be great if a portion of Andrews could be designate for dogs to be off-leash so they could truly play and exercise.

I do not think anyone has an issue with people walking their leashed dogs in normal parks. The problems is people unleashing their dogs at enclosed parkettes. It is too tempting not to unleash your dog if the parkette is enclosed, we live across the street from a parkette and see it daily. Most of these parkettes have playground equipment and were built specifically for families and children. Attempting to "mix use" the parkettes has only caused neighborhood friction between dog owners and families with children. The cheapest and most rational move is to remove the "dog friendly" signs from the enclosed parkettes with playground equipment but allow leashed dogs at normal parks or lesser used parkettes that do not have playground equipment. It's a win/win...dog owners get more areas for their dogs and families get their parkettes back. The city council could then review the program, and if the dog friendly parks are abused or other issues arise then changes could be made. Thank you

I support leashed dogs in local RB parks. There needs to be basic enforcement for those who do not comply with the rules.

I agree that the small parkettes should be kept dog free. It seems to me what would work best for everyone concerned is if the larger parks (Anderson, Perry and Andrews to name a few) could have designated areas for dogs, separate from the areas used by people. Ideally, this area could be off leash provided they were fenced off. I think this solution would make everybody happy.

I oppose allowing dogs into small parkettes that are designed for safe play of small children (small fence enclosed parks with play structures). There are many dog friendly parks in the area, and many are within a short walk that I am sure most dogs would appreciate. It's unfortunate that irresponsible owners \ people require these rules of segregation, but I am afraid there are many examples of irresponsible owners and most rules of our society are required to discourage deviant behavior. The comments suggesting that dog owner enforcement is the answer are laughable and not a realistic expectation of our civil servants and resources. I've never seen any presence of enforcement at any parkette, nor would I want such a presence of regular enforcement, or the commitment of community resources required for such enforcement. We love all our neighbors and their dogs too, but please walk a couple extra blocks and play with your dog in a bigger space that has been designated for dogs.