There are no walls with family pictures, no picket fences and no kitchen tables where families share meals. Yet to many, Fiesta Island is home. The unkempt territory enables park patrons to relinquish themselves to activities that involve dedication, time and energy. Fiesta Island is more than a city park operated under San Diego Park and Recreation to some, it is a place where cyclists ride bicycles, dog owners run or walk in the sand with their dogs off-leash and paddlers can launch their boats on calm waters. That was the sentiment from community members who spoke to the Mission Bay Park Committee (MBPC) at its July meeting. Mike Singleton, project manager for the Fiesta Island Development Plan, presented the most recent version to MBPC board members at the public meeting. The presentation served only as an informational agenda item, but public comment followed the presentation. “It was supposed to be a two-year project,” Singleton said. He believes the new plan is a positive one because of the public input he has received since the project was announced in 2005. The initial plan set aside no acreage for off-leash dog use, the two-lane road originally suggested was dangerous to cyclists and the landscaping was not in keeping with the natural state of the island that so many patrons appreciate. Since the Park and Recreation Department announced a plan to redevelop the island in accordance with the Mission Bay Park Master Plan, a number of dog owners are no longer without a voice. They are now part of the Fiesta Island Dog Owners (FIDO) non-profit organization. Cyclists and triathletes who train on Fiesta Island have shared safety concerns about the traffic flow at the park. Paddling groups such as Kai Elua Outrigger Canoe Club and San Diego Dragon Boat Club are also working together to acquire a secure and safe space from which to launch their boats. One of the few problems remaining is that the boathouse for the various paddling groups is located where FIDO would prefer to have a leash-free dog area. At this month’s meeting, each of these groups acknowledged the importance of other groups’ rights to space on the island, but each is also actively trying to maintain their own ability to utilize the island. One major dilemma for area paddlers is the need to have access to a 1,000-meter stretch of water in order to host competitions. This puts them on the southwest corner in the midst of off leash-dog use area. Alise Shatoff, a FIDO board member, gave a presentation on behalf of the organization that formed in 2005 as a response to the proposed plan. “Currently, over 40 percent of all households have at least one dog and there are over 700,000 dogs living in San Diego County,” Shatoff said. Sean Pangelinan, a senior at San Diego State University, is a member of the Kai Elua Outrigger Club. “Outrigger canoeing is not a sport where you win medals and bragging rights,” Pangelinan said. “We teach the youth. We teach them respect, teamwork, hard work, perseverance, culture and history.” The cyclists, FIDO and the paddlers commended Singleton for his sustained efforts over the previous five years. Singleton pointed out the most significant changes to the plans since 2005. These consisted of maintaining a one-way road, the dropping of the jet ski ramp and parking, the addition of a campground catering to day-use, but will be available for overnight use. Sand volleyball courts were also added, the landscaping was toned down to save the natural state, and a left-hand turn lane will be added to help traffic exit the park. Now, the plan will be studied by the MBPC and remains open to public input. The committee did not expect to approve or deny the plans until fall. It will be approximately 8 to 12 months before the plan goes before the San Diego Park and Recreation for approval.