Council approves restricted off leash hours at Robson-Harrington

The San Anselmo Town Council voted Tuesday night to reject a Parks and Recreation Commission recommendation to allow dogs off leash throughout the day at Robson-Harrington Park. The council, instead, voted to limit off leash dog use to between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to closing (30 minutes after sundown) on weekdays and just from 4 p.m. to closing on weekends. Dogs are allowed on leash at all times the park is open.

Previously, Robson-Harrington Park allowed dogs off leash at any time, as long as the dog remained within control of the owner.

"It seems important to me to have certain parks where dogs can be off leash and other areas where people can enjoy the park without fear or concerns about dogs running," said Mayor Barbara Thornton.

The council approved the new rules in a 3-1 vote, with council member Ford Greene voting for broader allowances. Council member Jeff Kroot recused himself because he lives across from the park.

According to Police Chief Charles Maynard, the police received just three calls in the past six months about dogs being off leash at Memorial Park and six complaints about dogs making noise at Robson-Harrington.

However, this included an incident this past Friday night in which a four-year-old was nipped by a dog at Memorial Park that was being playful. Typically, the chief said dogs want to play near kids playing.

"But it wound up becoming too aggressive," he said.

A number of parents expressed concerns that incidents like this could happen if dogs were allowed off leash at all hours at Robson-Harrington Park.

"At the end of the day, I don't care how friendly your dog is and my two-year-old son doesn't either," said David Levitt. "I don't lay down a blanket in the middle of Red Hill Dog Park and have a picnic."

In San Anselmo, dogs are allowed off leash at Memorial Park before 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m., and at Sorich Park at any time. The Red Hill Dog Park was also finished last year.

"It's more than adequate for off leash dog use in San Anselmo for all resident dog owners," said Parks and Recreation Commissioner Maria Kallmeyer.

A number of residents pointed out that the town has a place that allows dogs off leash, as well as an official dog park. In addition, it was noted that the Red Hill Dog Park has a fence surrounding it, facilities for dogs off leash, and rules that don't allow children under 12 years old in the park. Robson-Harrington has none of those things.

For over an hour, residents spoke passionately about dogs being off-leash at Robson-Harrington Park. Neighbors, dog-owners, and people who were both neighbors and dog-owners expressed strong opinions on both allowing and not allowing dogs off leash at the park.

Though there were slightly more residents speaking in favor of limiting off leash dog use, a number of opinions and views were expressed.

People said they love using Robson-Harrington because of the community there and because they can walk close to their homes and bring their families. Many people (both dog owners and not) who were in favor of allowing off leash dog use said that the dogs were well-behaved and safety is not an issue.

"I'm sure every person here will say their dog is the most well-behaved dog," said council member Tom McInerney.

But, council member Kay Coleman said her son was bit on the face by a dog that wasn't controlled by its owner. She was also knocked down by a golden retriever at the park, whose owner was present, and needed crutches. And Coleman said she had a friend who was knocked over by an off-leash dog from behind and needed multiple surgeries. Thornton also said she was bitten as a child by a dog that was off leash.

"So, there are real fears," said Coleman.

Ultimately, the council noted that none of the other community, neighborhood parks allow off leash dog use throughout the day. Other towns nearby – Fairfax, San Rafael, and Corte Madera – do not allow dogs off leash in their parks at all.

"It was really striking to me that there was no other park like this," said McInerney.

The new hours for off leash use apply only to the lower park area. The upper park area only allows dogs on leash. Additionally, dogs are not allowed off leash during organized children's activities and owners must retain control of their dogs.

The new rules will go into effect once town staff has the opportunity to inform the public and post new signage.

The rules will be reviewed in six months by the Parks and Recreation Commission.