The Foundation for Girsh Park has created a new off-leash dog program that is focused on socializing your best friends.  The Girsh Park Off-leash Dog Pilot Program is designed to allow limited off-leash dog activity in a fenced and controlled space during the following designated hours. 7am-10am Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, as well as 1pm-3pm Tuesdays and Thursdays .

Location: The program will only take place inside the fences of the Multi-Use Meadow located in the Elings Fields Complex

Field closures: The Multi-Use Meadow will be closed for turf maintenance and due to weather as needed. Turf maintenance usually occurs in January for 4-6 weeks. This program will be suspended during weather related and turf maintenance closures.

Program begins: Tuesday September 20, 2011

Cost: $65 per dog

Purchasing your membership: Memberships will go on sale Tuesday September 20th at 9am.  Memberships must be purchased in person with your dog(s) during Park Office hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays 9am-2pm. Your dog(s) must be at least 6 months old, and spayed or neutered.  You must also have a current Santa Barbara County license to qualify for membership.

A total of 30 dogs will be admitted on a first come, first serve basis. Each family in the program may register up to two dogs. The program operates on a yearly basis starting in September of each year. Renewals and applications will normally be processed in August. The Park will conduct the application process in the office. Once tags are sold out, a waiting list will be created. Existing program members will be given the ability to renew their membership each year. Once the registration cutoff date is reached, all open program spaces will be sold to the general public. The following Code of Conduct must be followed in order to conduct a safe environment for off-leash dogs at Girsh Park. Any participants that do not adhere to the following guidelines will be removed from the program.

CODE OF CONDUCT

· Dogs in the program may only use the designated Multi-Use meadow during the above times.

· Dogs must be on a leash prior to entering, and upon leaving the fenced area.

· All dogs must be on leash in any other area in the Park.

· Dogs must be within sight and under voice control at all times

· Dogs must have a current program tag on their collar to use the Multi-Use Meadow

· No more than 20 dogs are permitted in the Multi-Use Meadow at once

· Owners must have one leash per dog in possession at all times

· Owners must obey all posted signs, schedules and directions from Park Staff

· Overly aggressive dogs must be removed from the field immediately

· Owners must collect and dispose of all dog waste. Mutt-mitts are located throughout the Park

· Dogs displaying symptoms of illness are not allowed

· Digging is prohibited

· Animals other than dogs are prohibited

· Children under 12 are not allowed

· All other children under the age of 18 must be supervised by an adult

· No more than three tagged dogs per person are allowed on any single visit

· Any dog attacks or bites will be reported to animal control and will result in expulsion from the Park

For more information call Freddy Ornelas (805) 968-2773 x1 or email reservations@girshpark.org

When it comes to parks in Goleta, Girsh Park is the only park that serves the critical need for active recreation in the entire Goleta Valley.  To many residents, Girsh Park is one of the most important aspects of their everyday lives.  Everyday day at Girsh Park walkers of all ages stroll along the parks many paths, dog lovers and their four-legged companions romp in the acres of grass, teenagers and children play soccer and baseball on the fields and diamonds, and pickup games are an hourly occurrence on the basketball courts.

The Foundation for Girsh Park serves more than 350,000 people just like you every year. Our mission is to develop, maintain and enhance Lester A. Viola S. Girsh Park to provide all community members with affordable, high quality park and recreational facilities in a safe, attractive and healthy environment.

We serve the young and the young at heart through an array of programs and activities.  Girsh Park is the home of Dos Pueblos Little League, DPLL Challengers, AYSO Soccer, Central Coast Soccer League, Santa Barbara Women’s Soccer Organization, Foresters Baseball Camp, Full Count Fundamentals Baseball, Santa Barbara Lacrosse Association, G-Land Baseball, US Youth Volleyball League, and the list goes on and on.

Girsh Park is also the home to an array of community events throughout the year.  The 4^th of July Fireworks Festival, the California Lemon Festival, The Goleta Egg Hunt, Wag N’ Whiskers Festival, and many more are held at Girsh Park.  You can also hold parties, picnics, weddings, barbeques and special events at Girsh Park.

Unlike most parks, we are not owned or operated by the city, county or state. We are a 501(c) (3) non-profit foundation. Our mission is to develop, maintain and enhance Lester A. and Viola S. Girsh Park to provide all community members with affordable, high quality, park and recreational facilities in a safe, attractive and healthy environment.  Our community partners such as Marborg Industries, Cottage Health Systems, City of Goleta, Montecito Bank and Trust, Camino Real Marketplace, and individual donors like you help to keep the Park open to the public year round.  Girsh Park is a wonderful example of a very successful public/private partnership focused on providing recreational facilities and opportunities for the community.

As you can see there is something for everyone at Girsh Park.  To find out more information about our programs, facilities, or to make a donation to Girsh Park, please visit girshpark.org or call Executive Director Ryan Harrington at (805) 968-2773 x3.