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5. The draft proposal indicates the smaller area would be approximately 2 areas, which is approximately the size of the fenced area at the two new locations. Is there any particular information which leads you to recommend this as the "proper" size? In recent months, we have actively encouraged Park users to rotate their use to give well- used areas a chance to recover. The proposal would limit that option. Again, some have suggested that the proposal, with its smaller off -leash area, is designed to make the worst predictions of opponents come true: that the pasture will become a muddy mess and Morse Ranch Park will be closed completely to dogs. 6. One Parks and Recreation Commission member expressed concern that handicapped access is not provided to the East Pasture. It appears that handicapped access could be provided more readily from Lincoln to the East Pasture than from the parking lot. This option would not be available if the off -leash area were restricted to the area west of the stream. 7. The draft proposal appears to place highest priority on accommodating the neighbors on Lincoln Street, some of whom have been extremely vocal in their opposition to the off -leash program. It appears these neighbors are being afforded special consideration not given to anyone else. No such accommodation has been given to neighbors at the north edge of the Park who are impacted by the operation of the day camp and the picnic shelter. Other city residents are equally impacted by activities at other parks, schools, etc. These residents have not been allowed to "veto" activities or get the City to establish 800 foot "buffer strips" between their homes and what they consider to be objectionable activity. We asked at the Parks and Recreation Commission's Public Hearing that we be held to the same or equivalent standards as that of other park users an uses. It appears the off -leash program is being held to a much stricter standard than other uses. Does the City intend to establish a precedent of allowing those who cry long enough and loudly enough to dictate public policy? 8. One of the rumored advantages of the smaller off -leash area is greater consistency with the new Morse Ranch Park Master Plan. We are entirely unable to evaluate this claim. Dog owners have been systematically denied the opportunity to participate in or see the results of the Master Plan process. Even off -leash area users who are members of the Morse Ranch Historical Park Corporation have been prevented from observing Board meetings of the Historical Park Corporation where the Master Plan has been discussed. The Historical Park Corporation has thus far also failed to respond to requests from one of its members to receive copies of Board minutes. Access to minutes is guaranteed by the Historical Park Corporation's bylaws. Further, we question whether the Open Meetings Law must apply to the Historical Park Corporation when the Master Plan is being discussed, since partial funding has apparently been provided by the City. 9. We are very concerned that the opinions and preferences of a few members of the Morse Ranch Historical Park Corporation's Board of Directors seem to be so highly regarded. As indicated above, the Board has refused access to meetings and meeting minutes. In addition, Ms. Ann Penny spoke against the off -leash area at the Parks and Recreation Commission's Public Hearing and she recently wrote a negative editorial concerning the historical conflict presented by the off -leash program. She took these actions in spite of the Historical Park Corporation Board's January 1992 vote to take a