A new color-coded signage system launched today at three San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) locations as part of a pilot program to keep joint-use fields clean, safe and available to students and the public.

In recent years, joint-use field sites have become attractive to dog owners. While most pet owners use the fields responsibly, school staff have reported recurring instances of dog waste being left behind after public-use hours, creating unsanitary conditions for students, staff and other field users.

Under the pilot program, repeated incidents of dog waste and unsanitary field conditions may result in a field being temporarily closed to public use for 15, 30 or 60 days. New color-coded signs will show whether a field is open, at risk of closure or temporarily closed.

The City and SDUSD are asking community members to help ensure these fields remain safe and available for public use.

“The joint-use program benefits our communities by providing increased access to outdoor space, especially in communities that lack traditional park space,” said Andy Field, Director of the Parks and Recreation Department. “We are asking the public to work together to keep these fields clean and safe for each other, our pets and for the school children who play and exercise there each day.”

The City and SDUSD have 96 joint-use fields, which are typically constructed by the District and maintained by the City. Beginning Aug. 10, the first day of classes at most SDUSD campuses, the following three joint-use fields will begin in “green status,” meaning they remain open for public use:

• Pacific Beach Middle School
• Birney Elementary School
• Franklin Elementary School

One reported incident of dog waste within a 30-day period will move a field from green to yellow status, indicating that it is at risk of closure. A second incident during the same 30-day period will move the field to red status and result in a 15-day closure.

After the closure, the field will reopen in yellow status and return to green if no additional incidents are reported for 30 consecutive days. Continued violations may result in subsequent closures of 30 and then 60 days.

The City's goal is to keep joint-use fields open and available to the public. The partnership with SDUSD expands recreational opportunities, particularly in communities where traditional park space is limited. These sites also advance SDUSD’s goal to develop quality schools in every neighborhood that provide resources and support the needs of the communities they serve.

Following the pilot program at the first three school sites, the program is expected to expand to additional joint-use locations over time, with the long-term goal of implementing the program at joint-use field sites across the City.

Pet owners looking for places where dogs can exercise off-leash can use more than 20 off-leash dog areas throughout the City of San Diego. Community members are encouraged to bring their pets to these designated spaces to enjoy the amenities and company of other dogs and dog owners.

To report off-leash dog violations throughout the City, residents can use the Get It Done app.