A sign is posted at Westwood Hills Park saying dogs are not allowed, yet people still bring their dogs. I recall tickets being given out for off-leash dogs at Alston Park, which is a dog park, but nothing has been done about dogs at Westwood Hills. Why?

In my mind, I hear an elementary schoolchild saying, — in an entitled tone of voice, with hands on hips and nose up in the air — “Everybody else is doing it. Why can’t I?”

Napa’s Parks Superintendent, Dave Perazzo, agrees that this is a problem and says that to resolve it, one must report it to the Napa Police Department to make them aware of it. Makes sense, right?

The only two parks in Napa that allow dogs are Alston Park and Shurtleff Park at Alta Heights. There has been a lot of controversy in enforcing the on-leash and off-leash rules at Alston. Perazzo let me in on some updated information on the goings-on at the park. The City has now increased the off-leash area by a total of three acres in the upper section of the park, trying to accommodate both the leashed and unleashed to have easy access to trails and general canine enjoyment at the park.

As to why dogs are only allowed at these parks and not at others, Perazzo simply said it is city ordinance and the way it was decided before his time. Existing rules or guidelines — of a non-canine-related nature — which more than likely will remain the same, include: Parks are open from dawn to dusk; glass bottles are prohibited at all parks; fires are prohibited at all parks; alcohol is prohibited at all parks, except for designated areas at Kennedy Park; and bicycles are allowed only on designated roads and trails at Kennedy and Alston parks. Golfing is also not allowed at most parks, excluding Kennedy Park which has its own golf course. I know it’s common sense, but common sense is not as common as you might think.

For those of you with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, there is a comprehensive list on park usage at www.cityofnapa.org. Click on “municipal code” under Quick Links, then “Title 12” and finally 12.36. Then use your newfound knowledge to scold those elementary schoolchildren. You show ‘em who’s top dog.

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