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MEETING TO DISCUSS MANAGEMENT CRITERIA FOR GROUNDS DAMAGE IN OFF -LEASH AREAS <br /> 2/17/93 <br /> Attending: Donna Adams, Jack Long, Dick Morgan, Dee Grissel, John Etter, <br /> Johnny Medlin <br /> Initial Observations / Questions <br /> John Etter stated that he believed the impact /damage to Morse Ranch's east <br /> pasture this winter is not as great as it was last year. In discussion, the <br /> group felt this was due primarily to the off -leash users congregating on the <br /> sloping west side of the pasture last year. This was a result of users <br /> avoiding the east side of the pasture near the homes where people had been <br /> complaining. This year, in contrast, the off -leash users are monitoring the <br /> field conditions themselves, are attempting to avoid the muddy areas, and are <br /> spreading use over the entire available area. <br /> Dick Morgan stated that he believed the east pasture of Morse Ranch is in no <br /> worse condition than are some of our developed soccer fields during soccer <br /> season. This brings up the question, are we to establish more restrictive <br /> management criteria for undeveloped off -leash areas than we have established <br /> for our developed recreational fields? Dick also mentioned that he found it <br /> interesting that, although the Amazon Park off -leash area is in worse shape <br /> than Morse Ranch, we haven't received any complaints regarding damage at <br /> Amazon Park. <br /> Dick suggested that the creation of additional wood chip paths throughout the <br /> Morse Ranch off -leash area might go a long way toward mitigating user impact <br /> and preventing further grounds damage. Dick felt the majority of the damage <br /> was caused by dog owners roaming over the pasture rather than from the dogs <br /> themselves. Having wood chip trails to support people would encourage them <br /> to stay out of the worn and muddy areas. The Off -Leash Association has <br /> indicated willingness to construct additional wood chip trails when the <br /> weather becomes dry enough to allow equipment use in the pasture. This might <br /> help mitigate or prevent grounds damage from occuring in the future. <br /> Criterial Selection Problems <br /> There appears to be 3 initial problems with establishing management criteria <br /> for grounds damage in the off -leash areas and, specifically, the east pasture <br /> at Morse Ranch. The first is the lack of any documentable data obtained <br /> prior to the use of Morse Ranch as an off -leash area. Without a "base- line" <br /> to use as a comparison, the relevance of any new data would be difficult to <br /> evaluate. <br /> The second problem is the lack of established agreement on what Morse Ranch's <br /> east pasture physically represents. Is it an undeveloped field, an old stock <br /> pasture, or a scenic and /or natural preserve in the middle of surrounding <br /> development? The amount of user impact and damage to the grounds that is <br /> considered acceptable will vary significantly depending on one' viewpoint. <br /> A third problem in establishing management criteria is cost. The Off -Leash <br /> Program was presented to the City Council and implemented by PARCS as costing <br />