Albany Bulb

Posted at Albany Bulb

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!

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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

Wednesday’s Waterfront Committee meeting has been postponed until
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 10 at  7 p.m.
at  Albany City Hall, Council Chambers, 1000 San Pablo Avenue).

We are hoping for a large turn out next Thursday.

This is the joint meeting with Park & Rec to discuss new leash laws at the Bulb.

UPDATE : February 2nd Meeting has been postponed to February 10th

Mary Barnsdale of  Dogs of the Albany Bulb writes

The Albany Waterfront Committee meeting that was scheduled for February 14 is now WEDNESDAY, February 2 (7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the City Council chambers, 1000 San Pablo Avenue, Albany — at the corner of Marin Avenue).
No agenda is available yet but “dog management” is on every agenda. Please turn up to let the WFC know how you feel about the leash laws being proposed. Also, this could be the joint meeting with the East Bay Regional Parks District. It will be very important to let EBRPD know that the Waterfront Committee’s recommendations are not popular.

To recap: The new leash laws would ban dogs from the Beach, the two lagoons, and the mudflats. Six-foot leashes would be required in the parking lot, the path to the benches and bike rack, on the Plateau, along the Neck, and on the lower road along the water. The Bulb proper, where most of the encampments are, would be the only off-leash area. “Off-leash” would mean “within six feet of the owner/handler.”

Note that the WFC doesn’t actually have the authority to make these changes. The Albany City Council has to ultimately approve changes on Albany property — but the Plateau, for example, is EBRPD land. That’s why it’s so important to make sure we let the EBRPD people know that the WFC policies are not acceptable to their EBRPD constituents.

More to come on this. Just wanted to get it on your calendars and radar.

UPDATE:

Committee Meeting has been changed to January 24. 2011 – Thanks Emilie

Waterfront Committee Meeting

Date: 1/10/2011 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Albany City Hall – Council Chambers

1000 San Pablo Avenue – Map

ANYONE ATTENDING?

Would anyone like to help keep us updated on the what happens at the Committee meetings?