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Politics & Government

Dog Ban at Silver Lake Meadow Is Divisive

An interpretation of the city code underlies the "no dog" policy that both pleases and displeases park visitors.

Meant to be a peaceful pasture for relaxation and quiet contemplation, the Silver Lake Reservoir Meadow is fast becoming a hot bed of controversy and riled emotions. At the heart of the debate is the meadow’s no dog policy, which prohibits dogs from not only romping in the grass, but also walking, leashed, along meadow paths.

Opinions are mixed and heated on both sides of the dogs/no dogs debate. Some dog owners feel it is unfair to be shut out of a beautiful spot simply because they walk with their dog companions. Supporters of the ban point to the two dog parks just down the street and the reservoir walking path that goes right past the meadow and on which dogs are allowed.

“I fear that I may be scorned by dog lovers all over Silver Lake,” neighborhood resident Marya Villarin said. “I kind of like the fact that dogs are not allowed on the new meadow.”

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Noting the meadow’s intention as a quiet place, Vallarin feels that “prohibiting dogs may help keep it more tranquil and it is more likely to stay cleaner. People with small children may also feel more relaxed to let their toddlers run around more freely if there are no animals around.”

Others are more vehement. Silver Lake resident Melissa Manfull noted that “as someone who hikes, bikes, runs regularly around the neighborhood, I have been run at and bitten by dogs on trails and paths clearly marked as requiring dogs to be leashed.” Manfull wondered if it was really too much to ask to have the meadow dedicated to just human visitors, hopefully then insuring that it does not become as “foul smelling and gag-inducing” as the current dog park.

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But local dog-owner Sam Lubell feels that he would enjoy the meadow more if he could bring his small dog with him.  “I do understand that dogs can be a problem,” he said, “but it’s just not worth it to ban them. I think officials need to have more faith in people.’

Jen Byrne, co-chair of Friends of Silver Lake Animals Committee, believes that the ban on dogs is discriminatory and even hurtful to people who very often consider their dogs to be family members. “I understand that the off leash dog park is nearby, but a lot of people do not use the dog park, and instead walk around the reservoir,” Byrne stated through email. “I don't feel this is as much an ‘animal’ issue as a ‘human’ issue.'” She noted that the Silver Lake dog park “has become a place for the humans to interact with other humans that share a common interest.”

Byrne also notes that despite repeated efforts, she has not been able to have her concerns and questions regarding the ban, the process that was employed in developing the meadow and its rules, and the way such rules will be carried out answered by Council District 13, which oversees the neighborhood and is represented by City Council President Eric Garcetti.

She maintans that during the creation of the meadow, the Meadow Advisory Board--made up of volunteer community members tasked with representing neighborhood views and ideas for the meadow--voted to support allowing dogs and their humans in the meadow.

 Renee Nahum, a member of the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council, also stated that the Meadow Advisory Board had supported leashed dogs on meadow paths.  Both Byrne and Nahum expressed concern over how the process finalizing the meadow and its rules was undertaken, and hoped to receive clarification from Council District 13 regarding that process.

Stein also commented that while the Conservancy conducted non-scientific polls on community opinion and was involved in obtaining community input for the meadow development process, Council District 13 and Parks and Recreation “are ultimately responsible and the policies are up to them.”  Stein noted that, for the most part, the community, “as far as I know, they are good with the policy as it is.”

Among Byrne’s inquiries is the issue of Los Angeles Municipal Code 63.44.B2d3, which states that, “dogs or cats when led by a leash not more than six (6) feet long” shall be permitted in city parks.” 

However, the code includes an exclusion of three city parks, including the Silver Lake Recreation Center, stating that “no dogs, whether or not led by a leash, shall be permitted or allowed in any part of the Silver Lake Recreation Center other than the fenced area designated as a dog exercise and training area.” Guide dogs and those trained to aid the disabled are not included in the ban. It also doesn’t mention cats.

When questioned about this city code, a spokesperson for Council District 13 explained that the Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation makes the rules governing the meadow.

“The meadow is considered part of the Silver Lake Recreation Center,” Andrea Epstein, the Public Information Officer for the Department of Parks and Recreation, explained. Therefore, the area is included in the code exclusion and according to Epstein, “there will be no dogs allowed.”

“I disagree that the meadow is part of the Silver Lake Rec Center,” Byrne said. “Not a single person that I have talked to ever even considered that as a possibility.” She also noted that “some people at the meeting last week of the Committee of the Reservoir Complex disused how to amend the code so that the Meadow would be included as part of the Rec Center. So clearly, no one expected that the Meadow was already included.”

Epstein noted that the Office of Public Safety will be monitoring and enforcing the rules of the meadow, not just the ban on dogs, but also the ban on bike riding and organized sports. Permanent signs explaining the rules are to be installed soon. She also expressed regret at the upset the opening of the space and its rules have caused to some dog owners.

OPS is already responsible for patrolling the grassy area beside the physical buildings of the Recreation Center where dogs are also banned but regularly can be seen frolicking with their owners, unleashed, in the grass.

Byrne, Nahum, Stein, and Epstein all encourage residents to contact Council District 13 if they have concerns regarding the meadow's rules and development.

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