More than a year ago, the City of Pismo Beach distributed a survey asking what residents wanted as recreational goals for the community and visitors. An off-leash dog park topped the list. What happened to the survey results? Will there be a dog park for residents and visitors? Many of our hotels are dog-friendly, and there are no nearby parks for pets. Dogs are not allowed on the pier and must be leashed on beaches and at parks.

Pismo has many retirees or empty nesters who don’t use playgrounds. We need a safe place to exercise our dogs, play fetch and socialize with like-minded dog owners. It’s hard to drive to San Luis Obispo or Arroyo Grande to find an off-leash dog park. We deserve one right here in Pismo Beach.

Today and Friday, the city is meeting to update its long, short and mid-term goals. It’s time to move the dog park issue forward, to make it a short-term goal. If you want this to happen, or at least to remain as a long-term goal, tell the council by emailing shig ginbotham@pismobeach.org. We need to keep this issue alive.