Fishing at Lucchesi Park on commission agenda

The Petaluma Music, Parks and Recreation Department is not recommending a ban on fishing in the pond at Lucchesi Park.

Concerns about water quality and the impact of fishing on resident and itinerant waterfowl at the popular park on McDowell Boulevard prompted a request by Animal Shelter manager Nancee Tavares for the commission to consider a ban on fishing in the pond.

Worries about the quality of the water led the Petaluma Kiwanis Club to cancel its annual fishing derby.

The commission will consider the pond problem when it meets this evening at 7 o?clock in the Petaluma City Council Chambers, 11 English St.

Rather than ban fishing, Petaluma parks and rec staff is recommending to the commission a number of measures that it says will provide both short-term and long-term solutions that will enhance fishing and protect the waterfowl.

The plan recommends the implementation of a fishing gear recycling program where fishing gear potentially harmful to the birds could be disposed of and the addition of additional trash receptacles.

The department also wants signage and distribution of park-use pamphlets so the public better understands park rules and recommendations.

Longer term, the recommendation is to clean the pool, including grappling the bottom to retrieve larger trash items, and develop a plan to filter and clean the pond water.