Subscriber Comments for
Douglas Family Preserve

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

ARTEMISIA	2011-06-18 11:01 AM
The really good thing about this property is that it's open space preserved against development. It's not exactly a "nature" preserve, since the vast majority of plants growing there are not native to California. I'm glad the Wilcox was saved, but I did not enjoy my one visit a few years ago. This was the day after one of the highly publicized cleanups. The entire place still reeked of dog poop, and as we walked out there were several fresh steaming piles along the trail that weren't there on our way in. Why is it so hard for people to pick up after their pets?
COMMENT 184332P	2011-06-18 12:09 PM
What a nice article. Don't let any of the many comments that will follow today about puppy piles detract from you feeling pride. You wrote a lovely and informative article. I'd urge people to be very concerned about the cliff, for their pets AND kids and elders."Occasionally dogs are lost over the cliff" does not describe the trauma of such event for all involved. One dog falling to is too many. Repeated occurrences are a horror. Just two weeks ago TWO dogs fell to their death. It's not just the owners or their dogs who suffer. Terrified onlookers watched as one broke its neck and was dead on impact, and the other went into seizures and convulsions. This is not something children and families on the beach should have to see, or park visitors. If a dog can fall, a child or elderly person can, too. Be careful and enjoy this local treasure.
COMMENT 184337	2011-06-18 12:20 PM
The property is indeed beautiful, but I would like to see more control of the off-leash dogs, without banning it altogether. The high levels of dog waste causes not only unpleasant odors; there is also the potential for the spread of disease, especially from unvaccinated animals. Large and small dogs are not segregated, which can be dangerous, and I have also seen situations where owners have brought dogs with aggression and other behavioral problems that should not be off-leash in any public place. And dogs falling off the cliffs is no small thing. Though the property is lovely, the situation is too uncontrolled, so my dogs play off-leash elsewhere. The situation also doesn't take into consideration the impact of so many dogs on the natural environment or the enjoyment of those who are not dog people - I love my dogs but I don't expect others to share my love.
COMMENT 184408P	2011-06-18 07:46 PM
I have to agree with Artemisia and 337 in the fact that once you step foot onto this beautiful piece of paradise it does usually reek of dog feces & the flies are plentiful to say the least. If the responsible dog owners that all claim they do indeed pick up after their pooch(es) did so, this would be far less an issue. For now, I'll gladly give my spot up on the "preserve" for the ones who favor the stench and don't mind the flies & as they watch ever so carefully their navigating the "land mines" that are always on the ready.
COMMENT 184416	2011-06-18 08:52 PM
Nice article and I really do appreciate the preserve, though the off leash doggies sort of wreck it.
COMMENT 184445	2011-06-19 08:57 AM
I can remember what the Preserve looked like 50 years ago!!! Still, one never sees Pan-Handlers,Gang-Bangers or Illegal aliens there.... So WHO is leaving all this filth behind? Splinter in my eye, log in yours...
COMMENT 184450	2011-06-19 09:08 AM
Beautiful pictures depict the true treasure the Preserve really is. Yes some dog owners do not pick up their dog's mess, but I have witnessed many owners taking responsibility for their dogs. Not once have I stepped on the property and been met with "the stench" or "the flies". Thank you for the article and incredible photos that remind how lucky we are to have this space.
COMMENT 184498	2011-06-19 12:10 PM
Great article, well written and informative. Made me miss the old days when it wasnt overrun by the dogs. I avoid the property now....which is my choice...because I dont want to be greeted by a foul smelling drooling crotch sniffing pooch. I just go somewhere else where dogs arent. This is a great property if you want to go to an unruly dog park, it is not a quiet walk through nature.
ESL TEACHER	2011-06-19 10:22 PM
I agree that this preserve could be a lovely place to walk. However, because of the number of unleashed dogs of all kinds that you will meet, it is not a good place to go walking with toddlers and young children. We had several very unpleasant encounters with dogs there and I will not take my small grandchildren there again.
ACF	2011-06-21 03:19 AM
I took a friend to the Douglas `prPeserve and was terribly disappointed. It was summer and, as others have noted, it stank of dog doo and the dust was nose-clogging. Perhaps the spring or winter is better. I am still glad the open space was preserved, but I don't think I'll walk there again.

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