City nixes group dog walks at Thompson Creek Trail
La Verne residents Patrick Towles, Rose Cutter and Darya Harris during a pack walk Monday at San Dimas Canyon Park. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo
by Andrew Alonzo | aalonzo@claremont-courier.com
Getting pent up energy out of dogs has long been a focus for Darya Harris. Thus, through her former association with Priceless Pets Rescue in Claremont, in 2021 Harris established a Monday dog walking group at Thompson Creek Trail to do just that.
The group had been going strong, with 18-20 walkers per session, even after the La Verne resident left the nonprofit last summer to try her hand as a private dog trainer.
Recently the group walked near Higginbotham Park — a city park not open to dogs — and someone recorded a video and sent it to the city, which reached out to clarify its rules.
Julie Sim’s dog Cookie at Monday’s training led by Darya Harris. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo
“We received an email that said, you know, ‘Hi, this is so-and-so from the parks department and here’s a list of our policies,’” Harris said. “And he gave us a very long, bullet point list of all the general policies. And I noticed one of them said that in terms of group activities, you’re not allowed to do an organized dog walk, which blew me away because I was like, but I see friends organize themselves to walk together with their dogs on this trail, so that’s a very broad statement to make.”
After some back and forth, it became clear a solution was not forthcoming.
At the September 9 City Council meeting, Harris said the group was willing to abide by city rules, but “we were denied a permit without the opportunity to collaborate with the city. There was no discussion of how we could keep providing this free public service to dog owners and rescue dogs, in Claremont while attending the codes we previously hadn’t been told about.”
Claremont Recreation and Human Services Manager Eric Ey told the Courier the group was designated a commercial business and referenced section 11.02.090, “commercial enterprises,” as the municipal code it was violating. The code is linked at ecode360.com/43830531#43830546.
“Public parks in the City are intended as places for recreation and relaxation and the free exchange of ideas, but not as a forum for commercial enterprise,” the code reads. “Therefore, no person shall sell, offer or solicit the sale of goods or services within a park, or pass out commercial handbills or advertising, or offer commercial teaching services within a park. This prohibition shall not apply to such activity when authorized by a special event permit, a sidewalk vendor permit, or other City permit.”
La Verne resident and private dog trainer Darya Harris. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo
Though the walks were publicized as free and open to all at her business website, daryasdogs.com, Harris argues the group never marketed itself in relation to her dog walking business.
On Monday, Harris and about a dozen dog walkers met at San Dimas Canyon Park.
“We’re going to probably go to San Dimas, but I wanted to say that the way we were approached as members of the community and small business owners who work in Claremont was just not good,” Harris said at the council meeting. “I understand the reasoning, but not the approach.”
Ey said the difference between Harris’ dog walking group and “Get Walking Seniors,” which also walks Thompson Creek Trail, is Harris’ is “offered by a commercial business,” and the senior walking group is a “city offered program that is not commercial in nature.”
Ey wrote in an email that part of the land running along the Thompson Creek Trail is owned by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which leases use of the trail to the city on a condition that Claremont is “prohibited from using any portion of the property for any for-profit, revenue-producing activity. Allowing activity contrary to this provision may jeopardize the City’s lease agreement.”
Ey said the city had not yet received a compliance complaint regarding the dog walking group from the water district, but “We do receive regular concerns about, dogs and commercial activity in parks.”
Although Claremont has two dog parks, Pooch Park and Rancho San Jose Park, Harris said they aren’t suitable for the group, especially with owners of hyperactive or reactive dogs. “The dog park is not an option for quite a few people to help socialize their dogs in a safe way,” she said.
Claremont and Harris continue to work toward a solution. Harris said she plans to submit a form to host a class or group in Claremont.
“We do have options available and those were offered at the last City Council meeting,” Ey said. “That includes programs such as the city’s contract class program, where we have other dog training businesses who utilize that program as well.”
Harris has reached out to neighboring city parks to inquire about hosting pack walks. For now, the group will continue to meet at San Dimas Canyon Park. Announcements are posted at daryasdogs.com/monday-packwalk.
1 Comment
Submit a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
While I do love the city of Claremont, especially for its social action, political awareness, and overall concern for other human beings, actions like this making me question whether it’s becoming a bit of a curmudgeon as it ages.