Citizens for Off-Leash Areas (COLA)

1999 Seattle City Council Candidate Survey


Question 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?

(Judy Nicastro) I would support keeping the area in Volunteer Park a designated off-leash area if no other space on Capitol Hill could be found. Volunteer Park is a large enough park to have an off-leash area, as well as the SAAM and walking/leash areas.

(Thomas Whittemore) I have not visited that site but if the agreement states this project was implemented on a temporary basis only, then it would be difficult to justify making this site permanent. Given Volunteer Parks unique status on the National Register of Historic Places, and the value of the original design by the Olmsted Brothers firm, I would support a search for an alternative site on city property, not already set aside for park space, or non-city property when funds became available.

(Curt Firestone) If no other location can be found, I would vote to make Volunteer Park a permanent off-leash site. I would also want to determine the best location in Volunteer Park for the site.

(Bob Hegamin) Certainly. The time has come for the controversy to come to an end of whether to have or not have dog-leash areas. Enough time was consumed to establish even the temporary status at Volunteer Park, I cannot imagine the City and the people of Seattle, using even more of their time to find another location to replace one that has already proven worthwhile.

(Peter Steinbrueck) This is highly controversial off-leash area, which has engendered strong opposition from some neighbors and park users. Volunteer Park was promised to be only a temporary off-leash site, and I would not make it a permanent off-leash area unless there was strong community support for it and no alternative location could be found.

(Lenora Jones) I will take this under consideration.

(Alec Fisken) I think that the Volunteer Park off-leash area should remain if no alternative can be found.

(Margaret Pageler) Finding an off-leash area on Capitol Hill will be as difficult as locating a new pea patch for Capitol Hill residents. We need to be alert for opportunities for shared use or redevelopment, particularly with institutions such as schools, churches, hospitals, utilities.

(Heidi Wills) Attempts are being made to find an alternative site. Yes, if an alternative site can not be found, I would vote to make the temporary site in Volunteer Park a permanent site. Capitol Hill is one of our city's most dense communities and an off-leash area is needed on Capitol Hill. Volunteer Park is large enough to provide for the needs of all residents in the area, including dog owners.

(Dawn Mason) 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.

(Cheryl Chow) As a council member, I voted for the off-leash sites program. I would be open to exploring possible sites on capitol hill and the possibility that the current site be considered for a permanent site.

(Charlie Chong) (Did not answer question)

Continue to Question 5