Dog park dead?
As Tu-Uyen is reporting in Wednesday's Herald, it's looking like that city funded dog park proposal that advocates were pushing so hard last year might be dead. At the very least, it doesn't sound like the city is able to (or willing to?) fund any such dog park. Also, the Greenway has been shut out as a potential site. And to think that, just a few short months ago, some of our leaders were behind the plan to build a fenceless dog park in a very central location of the Greenway. What a difference a few months (and a few phone calls and a few blog posts) can make, huh?
Like I have said in the past, I'm not against a dog park. However, I have been against just about every proposal for a dog park that has been presented so far. My major problem has always been location, location, location. I just don't feel that we can have a dog park take up valuable green space in centralized locations of town. Surely we can find a more suitable location somewhere on the outskirts? I, for one, am excited about the potential for the Humane Society dog park. I hope that project can get going in a reasonable amount of time.
I must say I'm glad the city is, at least for now, putting the brakes (or tightening the leash) on this project.
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14 comments:
obviously you sir are no dog owner. to the issue of greenway; doesn't matter we will continue to unleash our dogs there as dogs esp bigger ones need a place to run if only breifly. So the issue is a wash. GF needs to look to other towns and cities to see what is important to citizens. Dog Parks, pet parks etc have grownl tremendously as responsible owners realize leashed walks and small backyards isn't enough for the health of dog. Things won't change; we dog owners will still greet each other as our dogs romp behind the greenway dykes and walls. Occasionally grabbing our sniffing dogs away from crotches of peturbed non-pet owners who wonder why the hell we can't control our animals. btw looking forward to humane soc park too and will use it.
to anon:
your dog comes near me to sniff my crotch, it will leave the area at the end of my foot.
your foot comes anywhere near my dog, it won't be coming back.
I find it interesting that a few short months ago the Council had to form a 'special committee' to determine their feelings about a dog park and now they don't want anything to do with it. While I appreciate Christianson's honesty with Nancy last night in that perhaps Roming Paws should go out and do something on their own - he was rude and condescending. City Council micro-manages everything in this town and Nancy was only looking for dicection in how to proceed.
Dogs (and dog owners) want a place to run without a leash - the location is crucial but if the City can allow horses to walk thru the Greenway - which are allowed - then a dog park should not be an issue in the same space.
Christianson has his own dog that he runs with who is never on a leash, so who is he to pass judgement?
"obviously you sir are no dog owner. to the issue of greenway; doesn't matter we will continue to unleash our dogs there as dogs esp bigger ones need a place to run if only breifly."
So you are saying that you routinely and flagrantly disobey the local laws that have been put in place to protect the public and to protect public and private property. Obviously, you sir, are indicative of a major problem we have in our country...if you don't like a law, just break it. You should be ashamed of yourself.
GFG, several months ago, the Humane Society had a Dog Fest event in Lincoln Drive Park. I talked to a member of the board that day and asked about the Dog Park at the HS. In short, they were still considering adding a dog park area to the area around the HS property... and if they DO, the intention is to use it for their dogs, not to allow public use... although I think they might change their tune to 5 bucks a pop (or is that pup - ha ha!) to help raise more money for their operations.
How about we borrow from the EGF business model for trash? Have a fenced in area with a passcode. Buy your yellow poop scoop baggies. Enjoy!
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So you are saying that you routinely and flagrantly disobey the local laws that have been put in place to protect the public and to protect public and private property. Obviously, you sir, are indicative of a major problem we have in our country...if you don't like a law, just break it. You should be ashamed of yourself.
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Damn straight...and will continue to do so since a viable alternative doesn't exist within city limits. Side note: most that my dog and I meet behind the flood walls and dykes of the greenway are fellow dog walkers and runners. We all break the law because the confines of a 50 ft lot don't allow healthy space for a bigger animal; and Turtle River State Park is just too damn far to travel daily.
Yeah we break the law. I can report I have done so for the past 10 yrs that I have lived in this fine city and will continue to do so until an alternative solution arises. Dog Park by the Humane Society is a good first start.
It's a shame that the police don't do a better job of patrolling the Greenway looking for dog owners like you who flagrantly break city laws. The Greenway is for everyone in Grand Forks...NOT just for a small segment of the population who uses it to break the law and, in turn, potentially damage public property and make the area unwelcoming for those who wish to enjoy the area without breaking any laws.
If your yard is too small to accomodate your dog (and his poop), perhaps you should have taken that into consideration when picking out a dog. The residents of this city shouldn't have to suffer just because some people like to have much larger pets than they are able to accomodate.
Gee, here's an idea...maybe if the city started enforcing dog licensing, they would have enough money to build a space dedicated for dogs and their poop...anybody ever think of that?
Then again, expecting dog owners to follow the law (by paying their dog license fees) is way to intrusive, right? Sheesh. Some people who routinely give the city the finger by flagrantly breaking city laws regarding their dogs are some of the very same people who pressure the city to build a dog park. It just doesn't work that way.
I don't really have that much to say about 'breaking the law' by walking your dog--it's your own deal whether or not you want to follow the rules.
My issue instead is that if you have a dog, you should have taken the time to train it with basic commands so that it isn't being troublesome to others. That's part of your responsibility as a dog owner just as much as letting the dog get a run in now and then, for its own safety as well as that of others. If your dog takes a dump, it's YOUR mess to clean up, not mine to step in. This is common courtesy, and I think we would all be a lot better off if we didn't NEED laws to enforce such simple acts of decency in society.
Remarkable. Has it occurred to anti-dogparkers that a dogpark will draw dogs to a central location, limit their offal to a region enclosed by a fence and thus not trodden upon by random feet, and thereby promote sanitation in all of Grand Forks?
80% of all citizens are dog owners, so... all I can say is non-dog owners are going to be out voted every time. It is not a matter of IF there will be a dog park, just a matter of where.
I have been in dog parks across the country. Fenceless parks seem to be the best. However, for dense cities with major streets nearby, obviously a fence is necessary. As far as being out in the country, that is rediculous and must be spoken by a person who never walks their dog. Most people have jobs and walking the dog is a necessity, not a leisurely thing UNFORTUNATELY! If it isn't down the street, convenient to home or work, it won't get used and you will still have citizens violating laws. Dog parks must be located near homes. With gas prices soaring, people won't use a remote park. Period.
Debbie, please don't just spout out fabricated statistics to back up your claims. The US Humane Society says that 39% of households in this country have a dog. Your figure of 80% is totally bogus. So, no, the average US household does NOT own a dog. Dog owners are a minority in this country
I would also like to remind you that owning a dog is a choice you make. It is a luxury, not a necessity.
So, no, a minority of Americans who chose to have a specific luxury such as this will not always "out vote non-dog owners every time." I'm sure a dog park will be built in this town in the next few years. However, please don't act as though the wishes or luxuries of a minority of households should be more important than the quality of life for everyone. Dog parks are noisy, smelly, ugly, used by a minority of people, and often replace park space which could be used by anyone. Such a must be carefully planned and sited before being built. I'm discouraged when I see dog owners turn to bullying when trying to get dog parks built.
Shame on Debbie who said that people who work don't have time to walk their dog!!! That is terrible! A dog doesn't ask for much--food, love and a daily walk. If you can't provide any of those things, please do not get a dog. I hope Debbie is not a mother! I bet her dog doesn't even like her!
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