Act Now to Get Legal Off-Leash in San Mateo County Parks!

At 9AM on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 the San Mateo County Planning Commission will vote on whether or not to grant a Coastal Development Permit for San Mateo County Parks’ off-leash pilot program at two popular Coastside dog walking spots—Quarry Park and Pillar Point Bluff. While people have walked their dogs off-leash at these sites for 50+ years, County Parks’ new plan would provide the first sanctioned off-leash trails in San Mateo County Parks (initially as 12-month pilots). The Coastal Development Permit is the last step in this 4-year planning effort. We need your help to secure the CDP!

TAKE ACTION: If you want legal off-leash at Quarry Park and Pillar Point Blufftop, please take the following two steps:

1.) Email the Planning Commission by 5pm on Tuesday 2/8 to let them know that you support the off-leash pilots at Quarry Park and Pillar Point Blufftop, and to urge them to grant the Coastal Development Permit. Emails should be sent to: planning-commission@smcgov.org To make it easy, we have provided a short comment email that you can send, as well as sample talking points if you want to craft your own email.

2.) Attend the Planning Commission’s VIRTUAL meeting at 9am on Wednesday, Feb. 9 and make a public comment stating your support for off-leash dog trails at both Pillar Point Bluff and Quarry Park.
*Zoom Meeting Link: https://smcgov.zoom.us/j/96730171142
*Meeting Agenda: Click here to view the meeting agenda.

SAMPLE TALKING POINTS FOR EMAILS & PUBLIC COMMENTS

  • I am writing in support of granting a Coastal Development Permit (PLN2021-00333) for San Mateo County Parks’ 12-month off-leash pilot program, which would provide much-needed legal off-leash trails at Quarry Park and Pillar Point Bluff. The Coastside community has walked their dogs off-leash at both sites for 50+ years. This long-practiced recreational activity is a valuable part of San Mateo County’s coastal culture.

  • The off-leash pilot plan and dog walking regulations were developed via a multi-year, intensive public process. Since 2016, County Parks has held 31 public Dog Work Group/Committee meetings. The process was led by San Mateo County Parks in conjunction with its multi-stakeholder Dog Work Group composed of environmental, equestrian, dog walking, mountain biking, and other community representatives, as well as San Mateo County Parks Commissioners and rangers. Throughout the process, members of the public wrote comments and showed up to every single off-leash pilot meeting to voice their support for legal off-leash trails at Pillar Point Bluff and Quarry Park, far outnumbering the few in opposition. At one meeting, residents presented a petition with more than 250 signatures in support of off-leash dog walking specifically at Pillar Point Bluff.

  • Areas at Pillar Point Bluff and Quarry Park that are included in the off-leash pilot are NOT environmentally sensitive. Pillar Point Bluff is a former dairy farm and zoned agricultural according to San Mateo County’s LCP. Quarry Park is mostly eucalyptus forest. Dogs have been walked off-leash at both sites for 50+ years. During the Dog Work Group process, County Parks’ Natural Resource staff conducted an environmental review of both Quarry Park and Pillar Point Bluff. Off-leash trails were designated only in areas not deemed sensitive. In addition, a CEQA review, including the development of an Adaptive Management Plan (AMP), was conducted by consulting firm WRA. As a result, no potential significant environmental impacts are expected from the pilot program. Lastly, according to San Mateo County’s LCP Midcoast Sensitive Habitats map, the off-leash pilot program is not in sensitive habitat areas.

  • The off-leash pilot program will provide greater environmental and visitor use protection to Pillar Point Bluffs and Quarry Park. For decades, off-leash dog walking (the norm) has been unmanaged at both sites. For the first time, the pilot project will provide dog owners with clear demarcation of which trails are okay for recreational off-leash dog walking and which are not. It also lays out strict guidelines for dogs and their owners to minimize impact on the environment and on others without dogs or leashed dogs. The pilot includes the strictest off-leash rules in CA and limits the number of dogs that can be off-leash at two per person. It includes a detailed monitoring plan to track any impacts.

  • Contrary to some claims, off-leash dogs are NOT running from Pillar Point Bluff down to the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve beach, where dogs are not allowed. There is a 100+ foot cliff separating the Blufftop from the Marine Reserve—nature’s best "fence." Access to the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is only possible at the most southerly end of Pillar Point Park, which is why County Parks has mandated that the section of trail leading to that point be on-leash only.

  • Contrary to some claims, the off-leash pilot program is NOT expected to significantly increase park usage. Other Bay Area counties offer a wealth of off-leash dog walking trails and beaches for their residents to enjoy on their doorsteps—a more enticing option than navigating heavy weekend traffic. In addition, the reality is that the pilot's strict rules and two-dog limit will keep many dog owners away.

*Note: To personalize your comment, please mention if you attended the Dog Work Group meetings; if you regularly walk your dog(s) at off-leash areas and what they mean to your quality of life; if you help steward Quarry Park and Pillar Point Bluff by picking up trash on trails; etc.

Emails should be sent to: planning-commission@smcgov.org


County Parks’ Off-Leash Plan - Trails & Rules

OFF-LEASH PILOT RULES

1. Off-leash dog(s) must be under voice and sight control:

a) Voice and sight control requires that the owner/handler must be in control of dog(s) at all times and must be able to recall and leash dog(s) at any time.

b) Owner/handler must have a leash for each dog under owner/handler control.

c) Dog(s) must return immediately when called (maximum of 10-second return time).

2. Dog(s) must remain on designated and signed trails, within view and earshot, and no more than 25 feet away from owner/handler.

3. Dog(s) must be on-leash in developed areas (i.e., near traffic, parking lot, lawn or play field, deck, picnic areas, etc.).

4. No more than two off-leash dogs allowed per owner/handler.

5. Dogs are presumed to NOT be under control when they:

a) Threaten, harass, chase, or otherwise display aggression towards any person, animal, or wildlife;

b) Display threatening behavior;

c) Physically harm people directly or indirectly by their actions;

d) Touch or jump on other park users who have not invited or engaged in interaction with the dog; or

e) Do not return when called (maximum of 10-second return time).

6. Owner/handler must have physical control of dog(s) when approaching or being approached by park users not also engaged in off-leash dog recreation.

To learn more or to view the off-leash pilots’ CEQA document, visit: https://parks.smcgov.org/dog-work-group