I am writing on behalf of some San Diego residents who currently use the fenced off-leash area at Fiesta Island. I was born in San Diego and grew up in the Bay Park area. I have enjoyed Mission Bay and Fiesta Island for more than 50 years.
I have swam, walked, biked and dinghied around Fiesta Island, with or without a dog, for decades. I love Fiesta Island just the way it is.
I have also walked and exercised my dog on leash around Shelter Island and Ocean Beach Dog Park and Dusty Rhodes Dog Park.
Last year I was diagnosed with cancer. After several surgeries and extensive chemotherapy, I was no longer able to walk with my dog on leash. I started coming to Fiesta Island every day to give my Australian Shepherd the exercise she needed, so she could run free.
I would walk as far as I could, then sit down, while my dog chased waves for 45 minutes or so. The southwest corner of Fiesta Island, inside the fenced area, was a godsend. No cars, no traffic, no noisy ballfields. Just peace and quiet. There was plenty of room for bicyclists, joggers, walkers and dog owners to interact and enjoy themselves without conflict.
I couldn’t use Ocean Beach Dog Park on weekends because there are no parking spaces available. The deep sores and huge blisters on my feet precluded walking more than a short distance.
I tried Dusty Rhodes Park but my dog became bored after covering it in 2 minutes. Fiesta Island, with its open parking and extensive shoreline, was perfect for me.
The first day on Fiesta Island I met a young woman, who like me walked with a considerable limp. She was an Iraq war veteran who had lost the use of one foot and leg up to the knee. She had her four dogs with her.
We talked that day and on many other occasions. She stated that she had considered suicide at one point. She also stated that walking around Fiesta Island’s off-leash area had helped her keep her sanity and work through some emotional issues.
The peace and tranquility of this area is a major asset to San Diego. Putting a road through the middle of it would destroy the ambience. Including turf areas for playing fields would destroy the peace and quiet.
This area needs to be preserved just as it is, for persons who need a respite, a safe and peaceful place to enjoy without or without their dogs ” no cars, no traffic, no noisy ballfields.
I also met a number of senior citizens who come here to walk their dogs and enjoy other humans’ company. They choose to come here because of the friendly and safe atmosphere. I have been to other city beaches, parks, dog parks, with or without my dog.
Fiesta Island is one of the best. The seniors also like it because they can choose just how far to walk and because they don’t have to worry about their small dog’s safety. They also enjoy the absence of confusing hassles, excessive rules and pickiness.
Fiesta Island has a live-and-let-live quality about it. If this fenced off-leash area is divided into small compartments it will be a big hassle to enjoy a nice long peaceful walk or bike ride.
If it is “rezoned” to multiple fenced compartments, with gates, overpasses/bridges, and designated areas with an off-leash area here, no dogs there, dogs on-leash here, changing every few hundred yards, it will be difficult for dog owners and others to enjoy without worry. And putting ballfields/turf areas in the middle of it would waste a lot of water and bring a lot of noise and trash to the area.
Please leave Fiesta Island in its current condition; it provides a safe haven for walkers, bicyclists, swimmers, boaters, other hobbies like kite flying, RC toys and dog owners.