HAND OUTS
CITY COUNCIL
MEETING
MARCH 18, 2025
To the Members of La Quinta City Council - March 18, 2025 In the late 60s, Richard Pryor had a joke about "old people". They weren't called "Seniors". They were called OLD PEOPLE.
"Hey! Now I don't have any problem with old people, but they shouldn't be on the road. They shouldn't be driving. Just push em to the side of the road, so we can be on our way." ... or, something similar.
Today medical literature says, "hey, we're not done, but we need a few things.
We need a community of support. We need exercise, brisk walks in fresh air on level ground. We need to share our love with a companion. Dogs come to mind." A group of old people, now called seniors (with friends) has made its way to a lovely environment at Silver Rock Park. It has paths circling the area, water features, landscaping, dog friendly water fountains, and several spaces in which to throw tennis balls or chase new friends ... the dogs, that is, not us.
After forming new friendships and enjoying a grand space for exercise, someone wants to push the "Old People" off to the side of the road, again.
So, here is a question for you. Why can't we share the road, instead of being pushed to the side? The bike riders get to share the streets made for cars. New courts are put in place of older tennis courts for pickle ball. Part of the parking lot was removed for a skate park, and now Fritz Burns little dog park will be paved for more parking for pickle ball players, mostly out of towners, while we, who live here, are footing the bill through out tax dollars.
We understand that there is a posted ordinance stipulating that dogs must be on leashes. We had no input or say in the matter. Someone decided it was code and that is that. Palm Springs has just announced a Dog Park Community Meeting to discuss "ideas for the dog parks in Palm Springs, to ensure safe, fun, welcoming space for our four-legged friends." Here is precedent for community input.
Silver Rock is where we enjoy our group of friends and our dogs. We care about being good, responsible dog owners. Several of us have been trained by the same trainer, Mark Pace. Some of us have radio frequency dog collars for recall.
We are conscientious. Several off-leash dog parks in California and other states recognize voice control and E-collars as acceptable forms of recall in off-leash parks.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING - MARCH 18, 2025 - HAND-OUT BY RESIDENT ROBERTA BENNETT
MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA - COMMENTS REGARDING UNLEASHED DOGS AT SILVERROCK PARK