Here’s another story about dogs and what they doo — or can’t do — at Memorial Park.
When Village Trustees Denise Hogan, Richard Kavesh, Marie Lorenzini and Louise Parker voted earlier this year against changing village law to allow off-leash dogs before 9am in Memorial Park, they touched a nerve with the many friends of man’s best friend. Nyack area residents have been letting their four legged friends swim in the Hudson at the park before 9am for years, apparently without complaint. But new signs posted in the park last week make dogs’ doggy paddling a thing of the past.
Although two South Nyack residents have had their say in print, the Village Board is unlikely to listen unless there is a Nyack address attached to their name. Especially considering that two of the trustees that voted no are running for re-election this Fall.
Here’s the latest article in the Journal News on the subject from John Ratcliff. If you have an opinion on the subject, share it here. We’ll even post your most candid canine comments, too!
All right, I confess, for close to six years now I have been a lawbreaker.
Oh, don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t any major law; nobody really got hurt by what I and several other “lawbreakers” were doing. In fact, our “lawbreaking” was confined to allowing our dogs to run “off- leash” and have a great time socializing, or chasing tennis balls and Frisbees, or going for a dunk in the river during the summer at Memorial Park in Nyack. Pretty harmless fare. This “crime” was outrageously perpetrated every morning between the hours of 6 to 8:30 a.m. on the lower field in the park. With the exception of the dogs and dog owners, hardly any citizenry was there at that early hour. For the most part, the village “looked the other way” to our criminal deeds.
This dedicated group of dog lovers (usually 8 to 12 people weekdays and a few more on the weekend) would bring their dogs to the park and mindfully watch as the dogs stayed within the confines of the ballfield or the old boat ramp. All those that came, knew (or were quickly apprised of) the rules – immediately clean up after your dog, and notify other group members if they failed to see their dog doing its morning constitutional. On occasion we even held impromptu “clean-up” days where everyone would be given a bag and shovel with the aim of cleaning up any detritus or extraneous dog messes (some less responsible people come to the park during the day and allow their dog to mess and not pick up after it).
Through this early-morning get-together I made many new friends and really enjoyed the ritual, as did my dog Chance. However, at some point last year, rumors began to fly that the village was imminently going to clamp down on this nefarious activity. In anticipation of being banned from the park, a group of us approached the Nyack village board with a petition to amend the antiquated (1951), somewhat vague law that, among other things, makes reference to keeping one’s dog on a leash at all times on the “streets” of Nyack. We proposed that the laws be modified to allow dogs to run off-leash in the lower section of Memorial Park during the hours of 6 to 8:30 a.m. This time period would have had virtually non-existent impact on local citizenry since there was hardly anyone at the park during those hours other than the dog people. To validate our request, substantial documentation was left with the board about other villages that successfully operate dog parks. Since the board was concerned about possible liability, we recommended an annual fee to defray any potential insurance costs.
We were not looking for the Village of Nyack to spend any money on this endeavor. All of us, including the dogs, were happy with the existing setup. With the exception of one board member who voted in our favor, our proposal was flatly denied.
Over the years I have noticed several things that have actually been beneficial to the park because of our early morning presence. The large flocks of Canada geese that used to roost on the ballfield and, in turn, leave substantial “reminders” of their presence, have pretty much moved on (a toxicologist in our group reported to the board that goose droppings are far more toxic than dog droppings). Early-morning drug dealing was also a fairly common occurrence in the park. With the presence of the dogs, the narcotics merchants have also moved on.
Unfortunately, last week, our little Utopia came to a crashing halt. Large signs were posted throughout the park with copies of Chapter 17 of the village code and notification that, effective Aug. 7, tickets would be issued to all those not in compliance. Orangetown Police officers now routinely cruise the park looking for offenders (or “disorderly people” as stated in paragraph 17-4 of the code).
I’ve lived and worked in the Nyack community for 40 years. I have watched Nyack (Gem of the Hudson) grow and become one of the most sought-after places to live in the greater metropolitan New York area. I have also noticed that, in recent years, this “gem” has lost some of its glitter. With ghastly taxes, parking problems, street riots, an eroding infrastructure, late-night bar fights, and myriad other social, economic and business issues to contend with, I really question why the village refuses to consider a win-win proposal from a small group of dog lovers who just want to exercise and socialize their doggies.
See also: Jan 24 2008 Meeting Minutes – Village of Nyack, Dogs on NyackNewsAndViews, Journal News.
As a dog owner, I whole-heartedly support leash laws. While of course we want our pets to run free and have fun, their enjoyment of public space should not come at the expense of the enjoyment of other people obeying the law and utilizing that same public space.
Personally, I love dogs. Dogs have been members of my household for as long as I can remember and I value and appreciate my dog as a member my family. That being said, I do not value YOUR DOG coming up to me uninvited, and slobbering on my suit or jumping on me with his muddy paws. I do not appreciate your dog coming up to and antagonizing my dog, who is dominant aggressive, and who remains on a leash out of respect for the safety of your dog. I do not appreciate having to tug on my dog to keep him away from your dog, because your dog is not only not under leash control, but because your dog also refuses to come to you when you call him because he is not well trained. A dog who will not come when called every single time he is called should not be off leash in a public place. I do not enjoy watching your dog defecate on lawn and you not picking it up because your busying drinking your morning coffee with the “dedicated group of dog lovers” and aren’t paying attention. I don’t appreciate your dog shaking off on me after his dunk in the river. I do not appreciate slamming on my breaks as I am trying to drive out of the park because your dog is running through the parking lot while you socialize. It doesn’t matter if you say “Oh, don’t worry. He’s friendly.” as your dog comes at me at a full clip. Perhaps my dog is not friendly and won’t like your dog’s approach. Or perhaps the person your unleashed animal is approaching doesn’t like or is afraid of dogs. Their personal space, sense of safety, and enjoyment of a public park should not be infringed upon because you feel it is your right for your dog to run free.
I used to take my dog to Memorial park in the morning. Because of the lack of consideration exhibited by most of the people who allow their dogs off leash there, I have stopped going. Leash laws are designed for the comfort and protection of the many, not just the dog owners who want their animals to be free. Hold an off-leash party in your own backyard, petition for a dog park, but don’t ruin my morning walk because you feel your “friendly” dog deserves to chase a frisbee on public property.