Shhh! You CAN Wear Flip Flops at San Juan Capistrano's New Dog Park

Originally posted at 4:05 p.m. Sept. 18, 2013.

Wanna wear flip flops to the new Dr. Joe Cortese Dog Park in San Juan Capistrano? Well, you can’t.

Shhh! Actually, you can, as long as no one narcs on ya.

A posted rule at the new dog park warns that flip flops are not allowed, and it’s catching the attention of the media.

But members of the city’s Parks, Recreation and Seniors Services Commission learned earlier this week that the shoe police will not be out writing tickets.

“It says enter at your own risk. It’s your decision,” said Cynthia Alexander, community services manager. “If you go to the park with flip flops, there’s no one going to tell you to leave the park because there’s no supervision. There’s not direct supervision there. You’re using it at your own risk. [If] you choose not to follow the rules, that’s your prerogative to do so.”

Conceivably, though, she added, someone could call the city for a code enforcement officer to come to the park.

Commissioners were annoyed that the rule went up without their knowledge – and joked that they broke the rule themselves at the official grand opening.

“I have friends who like to give him a hard time sometimes and say, ‘Where did you come up with these rules,’” said Steve Behmerwohld.

Alexander explained that the city’s insurer requires the rule. And a staff report said a resident once got stabbed right through her flip flop with some playground surfacing at Los Rios Park – the only other park in San Juan Capistrano with the ban.

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