I cannot understand why walking dogs is not allowed. If they are concerned that people will not have bags to pick up dog deposits, make poop bags and waste bins available. They do this at the NFTA Small Boat Harbor.
I agree, Ted, and will take it one step further - owners bring your own bags (saving county money). Other local park and recreational areas have rules re: kids, adults, pets. DeWitt should be no different. It's a lovely area. If I still lived on the south side in the City, it would be an area I would frequent. Even now I pop over there (WITH my dog).
If they are leashed then yes. If the owners take the responsibility for cleaning up after them (at their own cost and supplies)yes. If they dont then they shouldn't be allowed. There is plenty of unregulated land for dog owners to take them. If there isnt then maybe dog owners ought to get together and develop a dog park that suits their needs. Thats what other communities do.
Why should dog owners have to have their own park? We pay for Dewitt, too. It has a very nice trail around the lake that is quite suitable for walking a dog. My taxes help support that park, and since I don't ever go fishing (nothing against it, but I do other things with my limited free time), I would like to use the park as a place to walk my dog. It's a nice walk at the county park in Bethany, but that's a big of a drive if time is limited.
If a dog is on a leash and the owner picks up after it, why should it be a problem?
The reality is that a few spoil it for the majority.
The reasoning behind the "no dog" policy is that some dog owners will refuse to follow common courtesy with their dog. Dogs off leash chase waterfowl, swim in the lake and disturb fisherman, and generally create a nuisance on the trails. Although it is a large park, most of it is water. There ends up being a lot of potential conflict areas with trails, playgrounds and pavilions with any dogs off leash. Same goes for any dog waste that is not picked up by the owner.
The Parks Department runs on a shoestring budget and has even been targeted for closure in the past. The limited staff we have cannot commit time to monitor dog owners and respond to numerous complaints from conflicts with dog owners. Even with a well-posted "no dog" policy at DeWitt Park, the Park staff still spends a good amount of time reminding people of the rules and politely asking dog owners to keep their dogs from the park.
We allow dogs in the Bethany Park and Forest. We ask for common courtesy there as well with leash and waste rules, but due to size of the park and forested area, we run into fewer complaints with those who opt to not follow the rules.
I hope this helps explain the logic behind the policy.
Tim, using your "The reality that a few spoil it for the majority" means that if someone leaves trash (paper, cups, candy wrappers, fish line, etc) the park should be closed to people. Why don't you tell the truth. You just don't want dogs in the park. Period.
Ted..... Nice try at spinning the subject, but hmmm lets use some intelligenece to think about this. A park that people arent allowed in, doesnt that seem a bit overboard to you does that make sense? People are people dogs are dogs.
Kyle, the logic is very simple. In the case of dogs not allowed, the Parks Dept is saying that since we cannot control/identify the few people who do not pick up their dog's leavings the simple answer is we do not allow dogs. So let's transfer this logic to people. The Parks Dept cannot control/identify people who leave trash behind so the simple answer as in the dog answer is to not allow people. It has nothing to do with it being a park. All I am carrying over is the logic of the Parks Dept against dog walking.
Ted...don't get me wrong, I love dogs. I have a black lab that I'd love to walk around the lake. The truth is that we don't want dogs because people can't keep them on a leash or pickup their poop.
We do apply the few bad apples rules to people as well--we just don't go as far as closing the whole park. This is why the restrooms are locked unless there is an associated reservation. Some people apparently get their kicks by stealing the copper plumbing, smashing the dispensers and dryers, breaking the toilets, and having intimate relations in a public restroom. At least now we have a reasonable idea who to go after if there are damages to the facilities.
The general idea is to keep as many people as happy as possible with the least amount of cost or inconvenience.
Tim, how about a dog-walk permit and contract? I'd pay $20 a year to be able to walk my dog there.
Heck, I bet we could even come up with a smart phone app to sign in at the park when you bring your dog there.
Sure, enforcement would be a little more complicated than a total ban, but I bet you a lot of responsible dog owners would help with enforcement in order to protect the privileged.
Tim, I can appreciate your dilemma. Dogs and their owners can be a problem at LSP as well. In fact, so far this year we've been called upon to assist in one canine rescue and two retrievals, which is about average. Why people can't understand that having "fido" run around unfettered in a large area full of indigenous critters next to a big hole in the ground is beyond me but then again, lots of people also are of the opinion that all the; "Stay on this side of the wall" signs don't apply to them either and about once a year we'll be called out for the sad end result of that as well. (Knock on wood, so far not in 2012).
Best of luck in your efforts to find the most amicable solution for park patrons.
How many parks in Batavia are off-limits to dogs? We're talking about one, correct? I have nothing against dogs; the issue is dog-owners. Maybe it would be nice to have one park where the public is shielded from the nuisance of undisciplined dog owners. Maybe it's the MW/OC phenomena... When did it become essential to bring the pets along on every outing? This is the same odd mentality that results in dogs sweltering in cars while the owners shop in the air-conditioned department store. There's nothing more annoying than the arrogant dog-owner who presumes leash laws are for the other guy's animal, "he never bites," "oh, she just needs to get used to you," "it's your dog that's being aggressive," "what did you expect, sneaking up on her like that," "you're just not a dog-person," "he's great with everybody-else's kids," "I've never seen her act like that before," "he's been cooped-up for days- just burning off a little energy." With all the wide open space in Genesee County, there must be a million OTHER opportunities to walk a dog.
Once again, it all falls to personal responsibility. Just ban the dogs, because if you tell people to police themselves, they wont, unless someone is watching. If you GIVE them bags and poo cans, they wont use them, unless someone is watching. Oh wait, here is a novel idea, if you dont have the property to give your dog the proper exercise, dont get a dog. If you live in an apartment where you have to take your dog somewhere in a car to "walk" dont get a dog. I understand you dog lovers need somewhere to to play with your dog, but how is it "Joe Public" is responsible for giving it to you?
You know what i see when i go there? A playground for people, a boat launch for people, a track for people, a trail for people. Fishing for people, benches shaped for the human form, Grills for people food.
When i go there and see fake fire hydrants, doggy obstacles course, benches shaped for canine form, built in doggy bowls...then we will talk.
The park is for people, and lets face it, no one wants to step in poo, lay in poo, or play in poo, even on accident.
C.M. I agree. Let's have one park that is shielded from the dogs and exclusively for people. And here's an idea, let's have one park that is just for the dogs. I have to leave the county every time I want to enjoy the company of other dog lovers and let my dog off leash for a play date with other dogs. If you ever go to the dog parks in Erie county, they are clean and filled with friendly dogs and responsible owners.
I cannot understand why
I cannot understand why walking dogs is not allowed. If they are concerned that people will not have bags to pick up dog deposits, make poop bags and waste bins available. They do this at the NFTA Small Boat Harbor.
I agree, Ted, and will take
I agree, Ted, and will take it one step further - owners bring your own bags (saving county money). Other local park and recreational areas have rules re: kids, adults, pets. DeWitt should be no different. It's a lovely area. If I still lived on the south side in the City, it would be an area I would frequent. Even now I pop over there (WITH my dog).
If they are leashed then yes.
If they are leashed then yes. If the owners take the responsibility for cleaning up after them (at their own cost and supplies)yes. If they dont then they shouldn't be allowed. There is plenty of unregulated land for dog owners to take them. If there isnt then maybe dog owners ought to get together and develop a dog park that suits their needs. Thats what other communities do.
Why should dog owners have to
Why should dog owners have to have their own park? We pay for Dewitt, too. It has a very nice trail around the lake that is quite suitable for walking a dog. My taxes help support that park, and since I don't ever go fishing (nothing against it, but I do other things with my limited free time), I would like to use the park as a place to walk my dog. It's a nice walk at the county park in Bethany, but that's a big of a drive if time is limited.
If a dog is on a leash and the owner picks up after it, why should it be a problem?
The reality is that a few
The reality is that a few spoil it for the majority.
The reasoning behind the "no dog" policy is that some dog owners will refuse to follow common courtesy with their dog. Dogs off leash chase waterfowl, swim in the lake and disturb fisherman, and generally create a nuisance on the trails. Although it is a large park, most of it is water. There ends up being a lot of potential conflict areas with trails, playgrounds and pavilions with any dogs off leash. Same goes for any dog waste that is not picked up by the owner.
The Parks Department runs on a shoestring budget and has even been targeted for closure in the past. The limited staff we have cannot commit time to monitor dog owners and respond to numerous complaints from conflicts with dog owners. Even with a well-posted "no dog" policy at DeWitt Park, the Park staff still spends a good amount of time reminding people of the rules and politely asking dog owners to keep their dogs from the park.
We allow dogs in the Bethany Park and Forest. We ask for common courtesy there as well with leash and waste rules, but due to size of the park and forested area, we run into fewer complaints with those who opt to not follow the rules.
I hope this helps explain the logic behind the policy.
Tim, using your "The reality
Tim, using your "The reality that a few spoil it for the majority" means that if someone leaves trash (paper, cups, candy wrappers, fish line, etc) the park should be closed to people. Why don't you tell the truth. You just don't want dogs in the park. Period.
Ted..... Nice try at spinning
Ted..... Nice try at spinning the subject, but hmmm lets use some intelligenece to think about this. A park that people arent allowed in, doesnt that seem a bit overboard to you does that make sense? People are people dogs are dogs.
Kyle, the logic is very
Kyle, the logic is very simple. In the case of dogs not allowed, the Parks Dept is saying that since we cannot control/identify the few people who do not pick up their dog's leavings the simple answer is we do not allow dogs. So let's transfer this logic to people. The Parks Dept cannot control/identify people who leave trash behind so the simple answer as in the dog answer is to not allow people. It has nothing to do with it being a park. All I am carrying over is the logic of the Parks Dept against dog walking.
Ted...don't get me wrong, I
Ted...don't get me wrong, I love dogs. I have a black lab that I'd love to walk around the lake. The truth is that we don't want dogs because people can't keep them on a leash or pickup their poop.
We do apply the few bad apples rules to people as well--we just don't go as far as closing the whole park. This is why the restrooms are locked unless there is an associated reservation. Some people apparently get their kicks by stealing the copper plumbing, smashing the dispensers and dryers, breaking the toilets, and having intimate relations in a public restroom. At least now we have a reasonable idea who to go after if there are damages to the facilities.
The general idea is to keep as many people as happy as possible with the least amount of cost or inconvenience.
I follow Ted's logic. People
I follow Ted's logic. People control their pets, they also control their hands that hold an empty soda bottle.
Keep your dog on a leash, clean up after it, keep it out of the water, and there's no problem. The dog isn't the problem. The master can be.
Tim, how about a dog-walk
Tim, how about a dog-walk permit and contract? I'd pay $20 a year to be able to walk my dog there.
Heck, I bet we could even come up with a smart phone app to sign in at the park when you bring your dog there.
Sure, enforcement would be a little more complicated than a total ban, but I bet you a lot of responsible dog owners would help with enforcement in order to protect the privileged.
Assign inmates to clean the
Assign inmates to clean the parks. Our tax dollars pay for them to get three square meals a day and a roof over them, lets get something back.
Yes. Inmates walking around
Yes. Inmates walking around the park is a FANTASTIC idea. I was just thinking about how much I want to introduce my children to some convicted felons.
Tim, I can appreciate your
Tim, I can appreciate your dilemma. Dogs and their owners can be a problem at LSP as well. In fact, so far this year we've been called upon to assist in one canine rescue and two retrievals, which is about average. Why people can't understand that having "fido" run around unfettered in a large area full of indigenous critters next to a big hole in the ground is beyond me but then again, lots of people also are of the opinion that all the; "Stay on this side of the wall" signs don't apply to them either and about once a year we'll be called out for the sad end result of that as well. (Knock on wood, so far not in 2012).
Best of luck in your efforts to find the most amicable solution for park patrons.
How many parks in Batavia are
How many parks in Batavia are off-limits to dogs? We're talking about one, correct? I have nothing against dogs; the issue is dog-owners. Maybe it would be nice to have one park where the public is shielded from the nuisance of undisciplined dog owners. Maybe it's the MW/OC phenomena... When did it become essential to bring the pets along on every outing? This is the same odd mentality that results in dogs sweltering in cars while the owners shop in the air-conditioned department store. There's nothing more annoying than the arrogant dog-owner who presumes leash laws are for the other guy's animal, "he never bites," "oh, she just needs to get used to you," "it's your dog that's being aggressive," "what did you expect, sneaking up on her like that," "you're just not a dog-person," "he's great with everybody-else's kids," "I've never seen her act like that before," "he's been cooped-up for days- just burning off a little energy." With all the wide open space in Genesee County, there must be a million OTHER opportunities to walk a dog.
Once again, it all falls to
Once again, it all falls to personal responsibility. Just ban the dogs, because if you tell people to police themselves, they wont, unless someone is watching. If you GIVE them bags and poo cans, they wont use them, unless someone is watching. Oh wait, here is a novel idea, if you dont have the property to give your dog the proper exercise, dont get a dog. If you live in an apartment where you have to take your dog somewhere in a car to "walk" dont get a dog. I understand you dog lovers need somewhere to to play with your dog, but how is it "Joe Public" is responsible for giving it to you?
You know what i see when i go there? A playground for people, a boat launch for people, a track for people, a trail for people. Fishing for people, benches shaped for the human form, Grills for people food.
When i go there and see fake fire hydrants, doggy obstacles course, benches shaped for canine form, built in doggy bowls...then we will talk.
The park is for people, and lets face it, no one wants to step in poo, lay in poo, or play in poo, even on accident.
Dogs are not people, no
Dogs are not people, no matter how much you want them to be.
C.M. I agree. Let's have one
C.M. I agree. Let's have one park that is shielded from the dogs and exclusively for people. And here's an idea, let's have one park that is just for the dogs. I have to leave the county every time I want to enjoy the company of other dog lovers and let my dog off leash for a play date with other dogs. If you ever go to the dog parks in Erie county, they are clean and filled with friendly dogs and responsible owners.