From: Bette Maisel
To: City Council; Iom Ramsey; Daniel Gonzales
Subject: Linda Ave Dog Park Closure
Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2025 8:55:36 AM
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[EXTERNAL] This email originated from an external source. Please use judgment and caution when opening attachments, clicking links, or responding To the city council, parks commissioners and public works commissioner, As a mental health care professional, when I became a single mom, I knew that community had to be at the center of my choice for where to raise my two young children.
After a lot of searching for schools and neighborhoods, I decided to relocate from Lake Tahoe and become residents of Piedmont in the Baja neighborhood, next to the enclosed off- leash dog park where we could easily bring our dog Walker and build relationships with the local community. My little one will be starting TK at Beach elementary next year, and I have found a great spiritual community at Kehilla and the Jazz and Justice Church. In addition, the "dog park crew" quickly became part of our daily lives, a space where I could unwind from my day with my toddler, while my daughter and dog made friends with pretty much everyone When the rain came, we looked forward each day to the re-opening of the park. Instead, it was decided that this resource wasn't worth the time, effort and funds required to make it sustainable. While I'm fully aware of the complications of the land and likely more importantly, the surounding neighbors who opposed it - I want to draw your attention to the likely reality that you will never hear from the dozens or hundreds of people, pets and families, like ours that have been negatively impacted by this closure.
I'm writing in hopes that you will follow through on your commitment to relocate the park and understand that every day we live without it is a hardship for those who have come to enjoy it as a central part of their pet's and families lives.
Please find a new, walkable location in the Baja Piedmont area for our pets and families as soon as possible. If this is an endeavor that requires community support, I am certain you will find it. We await the reunion of our dog park crew...
Thank you,
Bette Maisel, PsyD
Piedmont, 94611