San Mateo’s Parks and Recreation Commission is prepared to allow dogs to roam off leash in designated areas on at least four additional city parks in a pilot program that could one day allow dogs to run free in select areas in all city parks.

The Parks and Recreation Department proposes creating either fully enclosed or partially enclosed off-leash dog runs in Central, Beresford, Bayside Joinville and Los Prados parks. The department is also proposing to allow dogs to roam free on two athletic fields at Central and Beresford parks between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 a.m.

For all other parks in the city, staff recommends that an off-leash dog run location be considered only after a sponsoring group of neighbors has submitted a petition with at least 50 percent of the households within a 500-foot radius of the park acknowledging their agreement with the proposal, according to a staff report prepared by Sheila Canzian, the department’s director.

“We are looking for volunteers and champions in the neighborhoods to help make this work” Canzian said. The department simply does not have the resources or enough park rangers for enforcement, she said.

The report was well received by dog owners and commissioners.

Commissioner Dave Morrison, however, is staunchly opposed to any joint use for the city’s athletic fields and fully supports the city’s current dog-leash ordinance.

“Dogs should not be allowed on athletic fields — period,” he said.

The comment did not sit well with the audience who went on to boo and hiss him.

Many in the audience also took exception with the notion that dog waste causes the potential for health risks.

“Health considerations are a huge issue in this staff report,” said Jane Allen. “But I’d like to know if there is any documentation that dog feces has caused any health problems. Trash is an issue with the ball players who leave food and broken bottles on the fields. You shouldn’t just look at the health impacts of dog feces but of trash as well.”

Sandra Kaul, who lives close to West Hillsdale Park, volunteered to be a champion and said dog owners do good job of policing themselves.

A half-acre plot in Central Park on the south side of the ballfield along El Camino Real is proposed as a fenced in area to run dogs. The space would accommodate about 12 dogs at a time to roam free, a number some dog owners said was too small.

Currently, city ordinances only allow for dogs to roam free at Seal Point park along San Mateo’s Bayfront but Fitzgerald Ballfield in Central Park has been used as a de facto dog park for 12 years or more.

Groups who use the field for sports activities have complained about the presence of dog waste while athletes play ball — an occurrence some have called “embarrassing” at previous meetings.

Canizian said dog waste was everywhere.

Todd Wade suggested a nonprofit agency might be formed to protect the interests of dog owners and maintain the parks for athletic uses.

Susanne Scher was not comfortable with the idea of having volunteers approach her in the parks, however.

“I don’t want to be approached by strangers while I’m walking my dogs” she said. Scher also questioned whether there were any real health risks associated with dog waste.

Canzian proposed a six-month pilot program for the four parks but it may be extended to nine months. The commission next meets Dec. 2 when it will likely approve the proposals. If the commission approves the proposals, the City Council will then weigh in on the issue in January.

Bill Silverfarb can be reached by e-mail: silverfarb@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106.