Based on original reporting by Patricia Stark for the Santa Barbara News-Press, a growing tension exists between our neighbors on the Mesa and city officials over the management of the 70-acre Douglas Family Preserve.
The High Cost of “Grass-Filled Meadows”
For local dog owners like Richard Giegel and Adam Birnbaum, the preserve’s meadows have become a hazard. Foxtails—non-native seeds featuring “stiff bristles” and barbed awns—are designed to burrow forward and not back out.
- Health Risks: These seeds embed in ears, paws, and nostrils. Without veterinary extraction, they can be fatal.
- Financial Impact: Extraction requires sedation, costing residents between $1,000 and $1,200 per incident.
To protect their pets, some residents use “Outfox” mesh masks during “hood season” (spring through early fall), a temporary community work-around for a systemic maintenance issue.
The Management Dilemma
Jim Marshall, chairman of the Friends of Douglas Family Preserve, argues that the city’s reliance on “weed-whipping” is counterproductive. When performed in June—after the bird-nesting season ends and seeds have matured—the whipping “broadcasts” or scatters the barbs directly onto the trails.
Parks and Recreation Director Jill Zachary and Fire Chief Chris Mailes cite significant resource constraints: the department manages 23 open spaces with just one dedicated staff member. While a recent $10,000 contract with Channel Island Restoration provided three days of mowing, Marshall notes a single round of work won’t resolve the ongoing threat.
A Path Forward
The community is offering more than just complaints; Marshall says residents are willing to fundraise to potentially double the park’s $1.1 million endowment to improve maintenance. Long-term, the city aims to replace invasive grasses with natives to reduce labor needs.
Action Item: A two-year management plan will be presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission on March 25. Mesa residents are encouraged to attend and help shape the future of this unique civic resource.