THE SITE: South Buena Vista Park in Vista
THE PLACE: A beautiful little park lies in the heart of the Shadowridge neighborhood of Vista. Part-time community park and part-time dog park, it serves as an example of how people with different interests can cooperate.
From 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. until dusk, dog owners can let their pets off the leash to run free among the native shrubs and plants.
The rest of the time, the park is a place where children can play, families can picnic and dogs must stay on their leashes.
Free-running dogs and children using the same parkland might sound like a bad idea. But the park has warning signs and plastic bags for cleaning up after the dogs, and park regulars who hand out the bags, said Andrea McCullough, a city spokeswoman.
Since the three years of shared use began, “there have been minimal complaints,” McCullough said.
The park itself has been in existence for at least 10 years, said Bill Fortmueller, assistant director of parks and community services for Vista.
It encompasses about 4 acres with a quarter-mile concrete walking path, a basketball half-court and a playground that's fenced off in case a child is afraid of dogs.
Near the playground is a drinking fountain with two levels, one for people and one for dogs.
Tables and benches are available for picnics and relaxing.
A little creek that feeds into Agua Hedionda Lagoonruns through the fenced property.
“It is not near any major roads, you don't have a lot of street noises and there is a lot of nice open space,” Fortmueller said.
“I love to see the dogs run free.”
LOCATION: 1602 Mountain Pass Circle
HOURS: Daily from 7 a.m. to dusk
COST: Free
MORE INFORMATION: (760) 726-1340
ONLINE: cityofvista.com
SUGGESTIONS: The entrance to the park is a little hard to find, but it's near South Melrose and Sycamore drives. From South Melrose, turn onto Mountain Pass Circle and look to the right for a gate. Follow the roadway down a hill into the parking lot.
– Patty McCormac
