Park going to the dogs

"I urge my dog-owning neighbors to seize this opportunity to stretch their legs and those of their canines on these days when citation rangers will not be present," Hickey said.

Always one to make waves, Hickey is hoping his form of "civil disobedience" will bring light to county budget problem. The decision by "arrogant" supervisors to close the parks was "absurd," Hickey said.

Hickey is headed to Edgewood park at 8 a.m. tomorrow with Misty in tow. For nearly 39 years, Hickey and his wife have lived at the edge of the park and walked their dogs there. Since they moved in, however, the rules now ban dogs, skaters and bikers.

About eight years ago, Hickey was cited for walking his dog in the park and says he's willing to get another ticket tomorrow to prove his point about the budget. His plans, however, aren't being met warmly.

"It's irresponsible because dogs don't belong in the parks. He should suffer whatever sanctions and enforcement actions that are appropriate," Supervisor Jerry Hill said.

The Board of Supervisors approved the cuts as part of the county's budget package on June 30.

"We have prioritized the limited resources we have and mental health patients, emergency patients and homelessness have to take a priority," Hill said.

Instead of closing parks by cutting back on maintenance, Hickey wants the county to increase revenue by adding golf courses to the southern end of Crystal Springs Reservoir.

The property is actually owned by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, but Hickey wants supervisors to push for the golf courses and collect some revenue.

Crystal Springs has long been considered a precious habitat for endangered species like the red-legged frog, but a golf course wouldn't interrupt the area's beauty, Hickey said. The Crystal Springs Golf Course just west of Hillsborough has been surviving for years at the edge of the reservoir, Hickey said.

"If it was a problem, if they were spewing pesticide, it would have been gone already," Hickey said.

Hickey failed to get supervisors to build golf courses in 1979. He later attempted to win a seat on the board, but lost.

He also attempted to win a seat on the county Board of Supervisors in the '80s. Hickey was elected to the Sequoia Healthcare District board in 2002 and has advocated his Libertarian point of view since. He also ran for governor in last summer's recall election. He received 1,689 votes.

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com