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The initiative to transform Cesar Chavez Park in Berkeley into a "Park for People" seeks to restore balance in park use. Cesar Chavez Park is a 90-acre mixed-use park, with 17 acres designated for off-leash use and the remaining 73 acres requiring dogs to be leashed. Over many years, dog owners have gradually captured nearly the entire park for off-leash use, resulting in a park that is unwelcoming and unsafe for many Berkeley residents. By designating Cesar Chavez Park as a park that prioritizes people over pets, we can address this inequity and create a public space that benefits a broad range of individuals.
Cesar Chavez Park is an ideal location for this transformation. Unlike parks in Berkeley's residential neighborhoods, where pet owners rely on easy access for daily dog walks, Cesar Chavez Park is situated in a large, open space away from dense housing areas. Furthermore, Cesar Chavez Park is in the midst of a multi-year infrastructure improvement program. Recent Berkeley waterfront improvements include a new entrance road, improved paths and parking, and two new aluminum docks and an ADA-compliant gangway in the South Sailing Basin.
An upgraded Cesar Chavez Park perimeter path is slated for construction this year and permanent restrooms are in the planning stages. A city contractor will be developing a long-term plan for Cesar Chavez Park, so now is the time to establish this popular waterfront destination as A Park For People.
Cesar Chavez Park Dog Rules
Cesar Chavez Park Dog Rules
In 2001, the Berkeley City Council designated a 17-acre off-leash area in the north-central section of Cesar Chavez Park (see map above). This designated area is only partially enclosed, with a fence on the northeast side to protect local wildlife. The boundaries of the off-leash area are clearly marked by 20 green and red signs indicating when users are "Entering Off-Leash Area" (green) and "Exiting Off-Leash Area" (red), ensuring there is no ambiguity for dog owners. Additionally, large maps at three entry points along Spinnaker Way provide clear visual guidance on the location of the off-leash area.
Outside the designated off-leash zone, 24 yellow or white signs are strategically placed throughout the park to indicate areas where dogs must be leashed. Despite the park having a greater number of leash-required signs than any other park in Berkeley, many dog owners allow their dogs to roam off-leash in these leash-required areas. Recent surveys (see table below) show that approximately 50% of dogs in these areas are off-leash. This gives Cesar Chavez Park the look and feel of a fully off-leash dog park.
A nationwide problem.
A nationwide problem.
A local solution.
A local solution.
A Park For People.
A Park For People.
Off-leash dogs are a problem nationwide, so the misuse of Cesar Chavez Park by dog owners who run their dogs off-leash in the leash-required areas of the park is not unique to Berkeley. Fortunately, local dog owners have many off-leash options, including: Albany Bulb (31 acres), Point Isabel Regional Shoreline (23 acres), Ohlone Dog Park (1 acre), Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve (208 acres), Tilden Regional Park (1100 acres), and Wildcat Canyon Regional Park (2600 acres).
An off-leash dog approaches a child riding a bicycle.
Bay Area Park Equity
Bay Area Park Equity
Dog policies in Bay Area parks vary depending on the land management agency. While the city of Berkeley and the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) allow dogs in nearly all parks, most other Bay Area land management agencies strive to balance the needs of dog owners with those of the rest of the community.
Parks (in green) that allow dogs.
Dogs are allowed in all parks in and near Berkeley, except for tot lots and the 4-acre steeply-terraced Rose Garden. Establishing Cesar Chavez Park as a dedicated space for people will restore balance in park use.
Bay Area Dog Policies
Bay Area Dog Policies
An unleashed gray dog fights with a leashed tan dog on a crowded day at Cesar Chavez Park.
Park management agencies around the Bay recognize the challenges posed by unwanted dog interactions. Here are examples of Bay Area park management statements on dogs:
East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD): (dogs allowed off-leash in 68 of 73 parks and forbidden in 5 of 73 parks) Dogs are allowed off-leash (“under voice control”) in 93% of 126,000 acres of EBRPD land in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. “Be sure to keep your dog close, there are many dangers for dogs in the parks. They can also transmit poison oak to their owners if they are allowed to romp off trail. Be aware that many people are afraid of dogs despite an owner's belief that their dog is a friendly one. And many people do not appreciate an uncontrolled and overly friendly dog jumping on them or their children.” Reference: www.ebparks.org/safety/dogs
San Mateo County Parks: (dogs allowed on-leash in 7 of 23 parks and forbidden in 16 of 23 parks) “The leash rule is aimed at providing a safe experience for your dog and other park visitors. In addition to protecting your dog, the leash rules are also intended to protect other visitors from unwanted dog interactions. Sometimes high energy dogs can knock over children and the elderly when off-leash or allowed to run up to strangers. By keeping your dog on-leash you are greatly reducing the likelihood of this occurring. Remember not everyone has dogs and for some people these fuzzy companions are intimidating and even scary.” Reference: www.smcgov.org/dogs-at-SMC-parks
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (dogs allowed on-leash in 11 of 24 parks and forbidden in 13 of 24 parks) “dogs must be leashed to protect wildlife, keep your dog safe, and as a courtesy to other park users, who may become stressed when approached by a strange dog." Reference: www.openspace.org/where-to-go/what-to-do/dogs
Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District (dogs allowed on-leash in 5 of 10 parks and forbidden in 5 of 10 parks) “Some trail users and other dogs are anxious or afraid around dogs. Please be courteous and respect one another’s space when needed. Communicate with others that you pass on the trail and allow extra space if they need some." Reference: napaoutdoors.org/parks/dog-friendly-parks/
Dog Incidents
Dog Incidents
It's not your imagination. Serious dog incidents are getting worse. National Institutes of Health (NIH) data from 2011 to 2021 shows a doubling of deaths caused by dogs from 2018-2021 (See bar graph below, showing the annual number of deaths caused by dogs, sorted by sex of the victim). Reference: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10495186/).
US deaths caused by dogs, 2011 to 2021
In California, there has been a 70% increase in emergency room visits for dog bites since 2005, to more than 48,000 annually (See line graph below, showing ER visits for dog bites per 100,000 Californians). Reference: https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/dog-bite-increase-data-california-emergency-room-er/).
Although only emergency room visits and deaths are tracked in health and mortality statistics, the recent increase in serious dog incidents likely also reflects a similar rise in knock-downs and other unwanted physical interactions. In the interest of safety, Berkeley should establish Cesar Chavez Park as A Park For People.
Join Us
Join Us
Together, we can create a better, more inclusive park experience for everyone. Your voice matters – let’s make it heard! Email aparkforpeople@gmail.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm in! How can I help?
Reach out to friends and organizations who support Berkeley park equity and encourage them to join A Park For People
Contact your Berkeley City Council representative to express support for establishing Cesar Chavez Park as A Park for People. Emails sent to council@berkeleyca.gov go directly to the Mayor, each individual Councilmember, and the City Clerk for inclusion in the public record.
Report dog incidents at Cesar Chavez (or any other city park) to the city through the 311 system. The 311 system is the city's primary way of tracking non-emergency issues. Dog bites and/or serious injuries must be reported to Berkeley Animal Care Services: berkeleyca.gov/safety-health/animal-bites
Why do we need "A Park For People?" Aren't all parks for people?
There are no recreational parks in Berkeley that are just for people. Many people will benefit from a dog-free park. Small children, especially toddlers, are at greater risk from interactions with dogs than adults. Toddlers, with their limited understanding of animals, may not recognize the danger a dog can pose. Dogs, even those with no ill intent, can be curious about these tiny humans or may react unpredictably, potentially mistaking them for prey. The result can be serious harm to the child, whether from a bite or an accidental injury. Even a small dog darting across a path can upend a child learning to ride a bike.
Seniors with mobility issues face another significant danger. A dog, even a well-behaved one, can easily knock down an older adult who may struggle with balance or movement. A fall can lead to life-threatening injuries, such as a hip fracture, which can have lasting consequences on a senior’s health and quality of life. People with disabilities will find A Park For People especially beneficial. Without the stress of unwanted dog interactions, individuals with disabilities will be able to enjoy the park's waterfront and natural beauty without fear of disruption.
What about service dogs?
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) service dogs will always be welcome at A Park For People. An ADA service dog is a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Fraudulently representing a pet as a service dog is a misdemeanor under California Penal Code 365.7
I love walking my dog at Cesar Chavez Park! Where can I go?
Dog owners have many options for dog-walking spaces in and near Berkeley, including: Albany Bulb, Aquatic Park, the Bay Trail, Brickyard Cove, Civic Center Park, Claremont Canyon Regional Park, Cedar Rose, Codornices, Contra Costa Rock, Cragmont Rock, Dorothy Bolte, Frederick, Glendale La Loma, Great Stoneface, Greg Brown, Grotto Rock, Grove, Harrison, Hinkel, Horseshoe, Indian Rock, Kenney, Live Oak, Mortar Rock, North Strip, Oak, and Ohlone Parks, as well as Point Isabel Regional Shoreline, Remillard, San Pablo, Shorebird (except the beach), and Strawberry Creek Parks, Tilden Regional Park, and Willard Park.
Most of those parks require dogs to be leashed. Where can I find off-leash parks?
Dog owners have several local off-leash options, including Albany Bulb (31 acres), Point Isabel Regional Shoreline (23 acres), Ohlone Dog Park (1 acre), Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve (208 acres), Tilden Regional Park (1100 acres), and Wildcat Canyon Regional Park (2600 acres).
How does "A Park For People" align with California goals for park equity?
Establishing Cesar Chavez Park as a park for people aligns well with California's 2021 "Outdoors for All" Initiative, a $1 billion effort to provide equitable access to our state's natural resources. Outdoors for All is focused on providing all Californians with equitable access to the state’s cultural, historical, and natural resources. “Equitable access” means that all people can experience and enjoy California’s outdoors regardless of who they are or where they live. It also means that everyone can experience the outdoors in a way that is safe, welcoming, convenient, affordable, and culturally relevant.
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