Dawn Mason

Dawn Mason for Seattle City Council

P.O. Box 18676

Seattle, WA 98118

Phone: (206) 760-8928

1. Tell us about your experience with dogs?

I grew with dogs as family pets and as an adult I had a dog named Sandy. I kept Sandy until I moved to a different home. My new yard wasn’t big enough for her to adequately run and exercise and she was not trained to a leash. I gave her to a family that lived in a rural area so that she would have freedom of movement. I was one of the saddest days of my life.

2. Which off-leash areas have you visited?

I am familiar with the Genessee off leash area. I have not been in it. I don’t have reason to frequent off-leash areas because I have not been a dog owner for many years.

3. How would you balance the competing desires for dedicated public spaces such as ballfields, off-leash areas, boat launches, etc.?

First, the city has to demonstrate there is an ongoing commitment to providing for the development and maintenance of public spaces, such as ball fields, off-leash areas, boat launches, etc. We have enough land to accommodate these seeming competing interests. As your city council member I would bring all parties to the table to develop creative strategies that would meet the needs of each interest.

4. Seattle Municipal Code states that the Volunteer Park off-leash area is a temporary site, but it will remain open until another location on Capitol Hill can be found for a permanent off-leash area. If no other location can be found on Capitol Hill, as a Councilmember would you vote to make the temporary site a permanent site?

If a new location is not in opposition to the Neighborhood plan. I support the Neighborhood Planning process and as a city council member would see fit to address the expansion of off leash areas where neighborhoods have planned for them.

5. How would you allocate funding amongst competing city-supported recreational activities: i.e. ballfields, off-leash areas, boat launches, etc.?

These are not competing activities. There is adequate open space for all of these uses. COLA simply needs an advocate on the city council who is willing to examine all options, talk to all parties and with them develop proposals that allow all citizens to enjoy our public spaces.

6. Given that off-leash areas have proved to build community, deter crime, and provide a place for voting, taxpaying citizens to recreate with their family and pets, where would you support siting additional off-leash areas?

I would be open to briefed on places in Seattle to site additional off-leash areas.

7. When you are elected to the Seattle City Council, will you vote to support off-leash areas?

Yes, I will vote to support off-leash parks and expand public participation in the discussion for funding and siting.

8. If you don’t respond to this survey, can we assume that you believe dog off-leash areas are "for the birds"?

Yes. And please note I responded to this survey under close scrutiny by my two cats who are lobbying me for equal access for my time.

9. Please add any comments you would like to share with our members and supporters.

I believe that dogs and their owners should have access to public space where they can enjoy one other. Dogs need space to roam and run. The city should support responsible dog ownership by providing space that is ample and well-maintained for dogs to play without physical restraints.