20.05.12

"We don't have a community center, that's our socialization out there. There's 12 dogs running around playing together," she says.

Until recently, this land was owned by a local land trust, which mostly just let it be. But in January, the land officially joined the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. It's now part of the National Park System. The Bechtells, like a lot of others here, are none too pleased.

"We've had nothing but great community here for 32 years and the minute they come, they ruin it," Peggy says. "Everybody's upset. Everybody's furious. And frightened."

She is referring to an incident that made national headlines recently, when a national park ranger used a stun gun on a man walking his dog in the park. According to the park ranger, Gary Hesterberg of Montara was walking his two dogs off leash, in violation of official national park policy. The ranger tried to give him a ticket, but Hesterberg allegedly gave her a false name and refused to stop. John Bartlett was there, and saw Hesterberg collapse onto the ground.

Source: NPR