Common Ground knows that Sierra 2 is a unique and cherished neighborhood park. We believe that any changes or development should be carefully considered to ensure that the park meets the needs and desires of the community. We believe that sharing the park is the best way to help people get to know each other and bring the community together.
FAQs
Is Common Ground for or against a dog park at Sierra 2?
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We do not think it would benefit our neighborhood to have all of Sierra 2 field designated a City Dog Park precluding other uses. We believe there are safe ways for dog-owners, families with young children, and sports teams to use and enjoy the park. Sierra 2 has a long history of shared use. Many other cities have developed creative solutions to enable mixed use at small neighborhood parks and we want to encourage our city to look to those guiding examples.
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Why did Common Ground recommend voting for a full-time dog park at Sierra 2?
We were disappointed that the city did not offer a shared-use option that we presented to them, especially since that has been the tradition at Sierra 2 for so long. We considered the voting process to be site selection, rather than design detail. If the city were to initiate installation of a full-time dog park, we would still advocate strongly for limited off-leash hours and shared use of the green so that families and sports teams could time-share the field with off-leash dog users. Alternatively, we would endorse a smaller dog park separate from the green for full-time use (though this would require quite a bit more fencing).
Would families be able to safely use the field during the day?
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Yes! In the past, dogs were allowed off-leash only in the morning before 9 AM or after 5 PM. This meant there were no off-leash dogs between 9 AM and 5 PM (or any time there was soccer), which was reassuring to people who are fearful of dogs. We are hopeful that a similar creative arrangement can be reached again. If the city decides they must install fencing instead of using time-share, then the field will be fenced off from all dog activity.
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Would the children's playground be open during off-leash dog hours?
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Yes, and we believe that any safety concerns could be addressed with higher fencing or a signed buffer area around the playground.
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What if there are conflicts? Is there a neighborhood committee or group to help resolve conflicts?
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The Sierra 2 Dog Auxiliary began informally in the 1990s and became officially permitted in 2001. The “Dogxilliary” kept a registry of dogs and owners using the Sierra 2 green during the specified, restricted hours for dog training and exercise. Selected people were designated to act as conflict mediators to address any issues that arose.
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Common Ground supports the recent establishment of the new Sierra 2 Dog Owners Committee to develop common sense safety and behavior guidelines, fundraise, and serve as stewards for the green. We are excited to see older and newer neighbors working together to solve issues and reach a common goal.
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Why can’t the dog owners just use a different park?
There are no off-leash areas within a reasonable walking distance of the Curtis Park neighborhood. Dog owners need to drive to get to a dog park, creating more traffic and pollution. People with mobility issues and disabilities find Sierra 2 Green to be much more accessible than other dog parks. Many parks require a steep climb or long descent to gain access and the terrain can be hilly or rough. This is especially relevant to our older Curtis park demographic.
The City of Sacramento has 14 official dog parks, but most of this land is north of the American River. The recommended standard for dog parks in Sacramento is 1 acre per 25,000 residents. Based on population, there should be roughly 18 acres of off-leash dog park south of the American River, but only 9.7 acres exist. Sacramento simply lacks an adequate amount of accessible off-leash acreage and what is available is not convenient.
Perhaps most importantly, we feel that our local neighborhood parks should be set up to encourage nearby residents to spend time together. That’s how meaningful connections are made and community is formed.
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Why does Common Ground care about parking?
On some streets surrounding the park, parking is unlimited and unregulated. We support time limits and/or permitting around the park. We believe park users (families with strollers, elderly or mobility-impaired, families with picnics or sports equipment) should be able to find parking near the park. If all the parking is used eight hours a day by commuter parking, this limits access to the park.