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Friends of Lighthouse Field
849 Almar Avenue
Suite C-PMB414
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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REMINDER: TRADITIONAL OFF-LEASH HOURS
We're asking people to stick to the traditional compromise hours: sunrise to 10am; 4pm to sunset
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Updated 4/7/08
On Saturday morning April 5, well over 100 people showed up for the FOLF "Take Back the Park" rally and park cleanup day.  The purpose of the rally was to show that we will not be turned away. Neither State Parks harassment nor the increase in illegal camping, drinking, drugs and other abuse will succeed in eliminating a vibrant community.
Speakers included FOLF co-chairs Betsy Firebaugh and Bob Campbell and we had brief remarks from Vice Mayor Cynthia Matthews, Councilmember Tony Madrigal, State Assembly candidate Barbara Sprenger, and Bruce Van Allen on behalf of Assembly candidate Bill Monning. We also heard from a park visitor's account of some of her personal negative impacts resulting from the recent State Parks campaign to drive our community out of Lighthouse Field and Its Beach.
It was a sunny morning, with many friendly off-leash dogs. People enjoyed each other's company along with coffee, muffins, cookies and of course some dog treats. This was by far the largest turnout we've had for a cleanup day. There was a great community feeling and we thank everyone who participated!
Maintain the Tradition and Preserve the Community
FOLF encourages you to continue to use Lighthouse Field State Beach (LFSB) for off-leash recreation during the traditional compromise hours (before 10am and after 4pm) regardless of this misguided new policy.
Let's preserve an important part of the Santa Cruz social fabric. Off-leash recreation in LFSB is critical for our health, well-being, culture, safety and quality of life. Our presence provides a net benefit to the park and surrounding neighborhood, even for people who do not have dogs. The consequences of abandoning LFSB are so negative we cannot in good conscience accept such an outcome. We advise you to:
- Bring a leash with you at all times and if you see a ranger put your dog on leash.
- If you see a ranger -- call out and let others know.
- Stay calm and obey ranger directives. Do not be confrontational.
- Continue to be a good park steward. Always pick up and always promote good behavior.
- Keep us informed of all ranger interactions via email to info@folf.org.
We are looking for continued community presence, not for conflict. Avoid tickets, don't try to get them. Avoid rangers, don't try to confront them. Rangers drive around in jeeps and trucks -- learn to identify the white ranger trucks (marked "Ranger") from the white maintenance trucks (marked "Maintenance") which typically have large drawers and gardening supplies. State Park maintenance workers do not give tickets -- neither do City workers or City police.
Negotiations continue between the City and the State. While they continue we are hopeful that State Parks will avoid disturbing the community. We'll keep you posted if things really do start to change.
If a Park Ranger Stops You:
Be polite -- chances are the ranger will just ask you to put your dog on a leash. A park ranger may give you a warning and record your name. It is important that we remain polite with the rangers as they are in the tough position of having to enforce a bad policy at the State level. And a polite exchange is much more likely to reduce the chances of you getting a ticket.
Remember you are not committing a crime. A citation is like a traffic ticket or a jaywalking ticket. However, unlike jaywalking or speeding which create safety hazards, our community presence creates a public safety benefit.
If You Get a Citation:
First, you should use common sense to avoid citations. Always carry a leash and leash-up if you see a ranger. Be polite, not confrontational. If rangers are in the park, save your off-leash time for later or another day. Rangers are usually few and far between.
(The information contained herein is in no way intended to represent legal advice. If legal advice is needed, please seek the advice of a qualified attorney. Friends of Lighthouse Field assumes no responsibility or liability for errors, omissions or inadequacies in the information contained herein.)
If by chance you do get a ticket, we encourage you to take it to court rather than simply pay it. If there is an error in how the ticket was issued, it might be dismissed. The additional court effort makes it clear to State Parks that people are committed to preserving our community presence.
Points you might want to bring forward while contesting a citation are:
a. Any error or omission in the issued citation: Is the date or time wrong? If you had your dog ON a leash by the time you received the citation, did the ranger have a clear unobstructed view of the alleged infraction? Were signs unclear or missing?
b. Unclear delineation of Its Beach: FOLF has been told by the Director of Parks and Recreation for Santa Cruz and the State Parks District Superintendent that a percentage of Its Beach is owned by the City. If you get a ticket on Its Beach, you could argue that as far as you know you were on the City side of the beach. If this is contested by the State Parks, you could request evidence of any specific State Park signs designating the State Parks side of the beach from the City-owned beach. Did the ranger know exactly where the boundary is?
c. Ask for a reduced fine and/or community service: If this is a first offence and you were polite and cooperative, you may get a reduced fine. If you have difficulty paying you may be able to ask for community service hours instead. You can do these at many nonprofit organizations in town. FOLF will sign hours for you if you want to spend your time cleaning up the Field. You'll need to tell the judge you want to work at Lighthouse Field and that FOLF will sign off hours. If you are assigned community service hours through FOLF, contact us immediately at info@folf.org.
Report all ranger interactions and any citations to FOLF (info@folf.org) including ranger's name, date, time and location. We need to track what is happening. And if we have more information that could help you contest a citation, we'll send it to you.
Again, we urge that you carry a leash so you can demonstrate the ability to put your dog under your direct control. We also ask that you:
- Continue picking up after your dog and encouraging others to do the same.
- Keep contacting City and State representatives (see Where to Write)
- Report any public safety problems in the park (drug use, camping, prostitution, etc.) We have been advised by SCPD to call 9-1-1 to make any such report.
- Be aware that ONLY the State Park rangers and officials have responsibility to enforce on-leash usage. State Parks maintenance workers, City Police, City Fire and City Parks staff do not have off-leash enforcement responsibilities.
- Please also report any improper communications by anyone, either State or City staff or anyone you suspect is impersonating State or City staff, to FOLF (info@folf.org). State Parks has clearly communicated that they do not educate people with a bull-horn or by yelling.
Contact City and State officials today
City/State negotiations are still underway but moving too slowly. Let them know why this is important to your daily quality of life and why this is important to the broader community (including people without dogs.) Ask them to conclude a deal to permanently protect off-leash recreation at Lighthouse Field and Its Beach, and to get this deal done quickly.
Numbers count: Don't be silent.
Make sure to enlist the help of friends and neighbors as well. We can put this over the top! Look here for ideas and where to call or write.
Donate to defend your access
to Lighthouse Field and Its Beach
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or send a check to:
Friends of Lighthouse Field
849 Almar Avenue, Suite C-PMB414
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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Stay Informed...
Local animal control expert talks about off-leash recreation at Lighthouse Field and Its Beach
Hear the views of Officer Todd Stosuy, Santa Cruz County Animal Services Field Supervisor. [Watch the video]
FOLF Forum Opening Presentation
Be sure to watch this opening presentation from FOLF's May Forum with John Laird, Emily Reilly and representatives from State Parks.
Watch the Forum Presentation
Author Maria Goodavage wrote a compelling letter to Santa Cruz City and California State officials in support of off-leash access at Lighthouse Field and Its Beach. She also points out the positive economics for dog-friendly communities. Maria is the author of The Dog Lover's Companion to California.
See the video produced by Maria in conjunction with the City of Carmel, A Dog's 'Dandie' Day in Carmel. See the article in the Carmel Pine Cone.
...previous FOLF News and Events
Find out more about what Friends of Lighthouse Field has been doing to save our community and our off-leash recreation.
See FOLF News
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