* If the anti-dog forces win the GGNRA battle, people who want to restrict dogs in the East Bay will become more aggressive

* The GGNRA is a national park. It belongs to all of us.

Here’s what you can do to help the GGNRA struggle and our local causes. On Monday, please call Congress to say you oppose the restrictions to off-leash recreation in the GGNRA.

They need to hear from you so they can turn around and say, “I’ve heard from thousands of my constituents, and they do not support these restrictions.”

We’re helping them help us.

These won’t be long conversations. A staffer will pick up, you’ll say that you oppose the restrictions, they’ll get your name and city, and you’re done. I’ve included a lot of background info at the bottom of this message in case you want it.

If your Representative isn’t listed below or you’re not sure who he or she is, go to http://www.congress.org and enter your zip code in the “Get Involved” box at the upper right.

U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi…….(202) 225-4965
Nancy Pelosi – local number is 415-556-4862

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein……………………..(202) 224-3841
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer……………………….(202) 224-3553
Barbara Boxer’s local number 403-0100

U.S. Representative Barbara Lee…………………(202) 225-2661
U.S. Representative John Garamendi……………(202) 225-1880
U.S. Representative George Miller……………….(202) 225-2095

As an animal lover, I completely support a club that wants to protect animal habitats. That’s why I’m confused. Some of my dog’s favorite habitats are the off-leash parks around San Francisco Bay. Now I hear that the Sierra Club wants to change her access to some of these parks….

That’s where the Albany Bulb comes in. We hear there’s a movement afoot to forbid off-leash access to the Albany Bulb. I don’t know what the details are, but we were emailed a message that the park’s off-leash status was in peril. Seems that the Sierra Club has some issues, but dogs and human companions have needs too. I want to be even-handed about this, so if you want to get information about both sides of the off-leash issue…

Read the Full Article at AlbanyPatch.com

Proposed Draft of Dog Management Policy

This is what the Waterfront Committee is proposing and will discuss at the joint meeting next Thursday with Parks & Rec.

Note that in the one off-leash area — “off-leash” is defined as within six feet of the dog’s person.

It is important that we have a show of support at this meeting. Please come and demonstrate our commitment to the cause of maintaining the BULB as it is. Be prepared to be frustrated and committed to staying calm, respectful and working productively within the framework of the meeting.

In preparation for the meeting please take time to develp a brief, consice statement describing the BULB’S place in your life. Include: how often you visit the BULB and why other options are not comparable. Please be organized so that more people will have an opportunity to express themselves at the meeting. Please remember, this wil lbe a long process and we cannot give the powers-that-be reason to exclude us. Come and demonstrate the esprit du corp that makes the BULB the place we all love!

Please use the time leading up to the meeting to contact by phone, and in writing members of the Albany Waterfront Commission, The Albany Parks & Recreation Committee, citizens of the City of Albany, members of the press and your state representatives.

Your participation is vital to our success in our endeavor to preserve our privileges!

Points of Note:

1. Other areas within the East Bay Regional Park District have been designated for specific activities, i.e. : the golf courses in Tilden Park, the extensive bike paths and the Tom Bates soccer fields all of which require far greater resources for their upkeep than the BULB.

2. The BULB is self-regulating: there is virtually no crime or civil disruption at the BULB. The BULB is a model of how an invested community of people are able to self-police a public space.

3. Point Isabel is not a substitute for the BULB. Why is this the case for you?

4. Our best argument is stressing we are a class of people who choose to recreate by playing with our dogs and have rights to have an area designated for this activity and supported by the community as do people who play with balls and clubs or upon peddle-driven vehicles.

5. The BULB is special for many reason: the ever-changing environmental art, an encampment of homeless people who regularly interact peacefully with the community at large and as an example of the natural  reclamation of a garbage dump by natural forces.

Your participation is vital to our success in our endeavor to preserve our privileges!

Gray Rosenberg

Todd Perlman at The Albany Patch writes:

“Dog Owners, Walkers Must Take Charge to Make Parks Safe.
Regardless of whether Albany adopts new rules for the Bulb, the onus is on canine lovers to promote appropriate practices.

Passion is abundant on both sides of a complex issue that boils down to this: Dog owners want the space to remain an off-leash romping ground, while non-dog owners would like to protect the Bulb from over-exuberant canines and owners who cannot be trusted.

Officials say much of the rationale behind the new policy relates to plans to hand over the Albany Bulb to state park control. The proposed policy would bring the area in line with state regulations, which officials say they hope would make the transition easier in the long run.

Ultimately, responsibility lies squarely with dog owners and professional walkers to follow safe and appropriate practices…….”

Read the full article by Todd Perlman at the   AbanyPatch