Dozens of Millbrae residents asked the City Council on Oct. 14 to create designated off‑leash hours at Central Park, saying the park is a de facto gathering place for dog owners who lack yards and that limited, predictable off‑leash windows would reduce conflict and improve animal behavior.

Multiple speakers — including Elizabeth Chu, Allison (last name not given), Jeffrey Tang, Anna Pichler, Christina Spagnoli and Robert Van Gogh — described how Central Park has functioned informally as a social and exercise space for dogs and their owners. Several said enforcement of the city’s leash law had dispersed the group and forced them to drive to other cities for off‑leash time.

Nut graf: Residents asked the council to add the issue to a future agenda and proposed early‑morning and evening windows (for example, 6–9 a.m. and 5–8 p.m.). They said controlled off‑leash hours would be low‑cost and could be implemented with clear signage and rules; the council did not take action on the request at this meeting.

Speakers said off‑leash hours foster community among owners and help dogs socialize. One resident said her dog matured and overcame anxiety because of regular Central Park interactions. Another noted that many local residents live in apartments and depend on the park for daily exercise. Some speakers asked the council to prioritize off‑leash hours rather than building a new fenced dog park farther from downtown.

City staff did not present a formal staff recommendation at the public comment period; councilmembers acknowledged the request and said staff would consider adding the item to a future agenda for formal study and potential guidelines.

Ending: Councilmembers referenced constraints such as parking, enforcement and impacts on other park users and suggested staff scope the issue, evaluate locations and enforcement options, and return with a staff report. No ordinance or rule change was adopted at the Oct. 14 meeting.