I’m calling in regards to the Gilroy dog park at Las Animas
Park. The reason it’s called a dog park is because I thought it was
just for dogs.
“I’m calling in regards to the Gilroy dog park at Las Animas Park. The reason it’s called a dog park is because I thought it was just for dogs. When we went there on a Sunday night, there were all kinds of broken balloons. Some kids must be using the dog water faucet to fill up balloons and then leaving the pieces there along with party hats and other party decorations. I had to clean up the dog park before I could even let my dog in for fear that he would swallow something he shouldn’t.”
Red Phone: Dear Clean Up Crew, It’s a shame you had to pick up after other people using the park. You should be able to bring Fido in and have a safe place for him to romp with other pooches. The city does check the park routinely, but since you said you visited on a Sunday night, they may not have been around yet to clean it.
“City parks are routinely checked each day of the year for maintenance needs by city or contract maintenance staff,” said Parks and Landscape Supervisor Bill Headley. “There is no telling what kind of mess some park visitors may leave.”
Donna Pray, the Executive Director for the Gilroy Foundation, said some of the mess could have come from a leaking sprinkler on the west side of the park in the picnic area.
“It started about two weeks ago and was a real muddy mess,” she said. “It has somewhat dried up, but is still damp and needs a raking over. Otherwise, I haven’t seen any other mess at all. Of course not everyone cleans up after their dogs, but when I’m there (at least five times a week), I make the circle around both parks and do a cleanup of poop.”
So please make sure to keep the park as you found it. Better yet, keep the park in better condition than when you found it.
Headley encouraged park visitors to report messes, graffiti and any other park concerns Monday through Friday to the Community Services Department at 846-0460. After hours, people can report problems to the non-emergency police phone number at 846-0350. And as always, the Red Phone would love to hear from you if the mess continues.
Illegal left turns on First Street
“Dear Red Phone, This is a traffic safety issue. There are two exits from the Nob Hill Center parking lot entering onto First Street. Both exits have signs posted indicating ‘Right Turn Only.’ I have lost count how many cars I have been behind, waiting for them to turn only to see them accelerate and turn left onto First Street. I really expect to see a nasty accident sometime in the very near future. Traffic will soon increase with the opening of Walgreens. We need the Gilroy police to patrol this problem before some innocent person is severely injured.”
Red Phone: Dear Turn Your Life Around, This can indeed be a problem. Because of the cross streets and businesses on the other side, cars may not be immediately visible to approaching traffic. Also, the speed of cars and distance of the turn make turning left dangerous.
Gilroy Police Sgt. Jim Gillio said he would forward your concern onto the traffic officer to have officers keep an eye out.
Just a reminder for anyone thinking about making an illegal turn there, the fine can be quite steep – usually about $80, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
If you see someone making an illegal turn, you can call the police non-emergency number at 846-0350.
