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Message |
    
Elizabeth
Citizen
Username: Elizabethann
Post Number: 43
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 4:36 pm: | 
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Maybe this has been addressed before but I am wondering why we don't have a dog run in Maplewood or South Orange. We have the JAC. Can't we find a way to create a town dog run for all of the loving pet owners around town? Can't we use just part of an existing park? Does anybody know how we can make this happen or why it hasn't happened already? |
mrmaplewood
Citizen
Username: Mrmaplewood
Post Number: 317
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 4:42 pm: |
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Oh no. Not again. |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1417
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 4:46 pm: |
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Milburn was working on making one that was in the reservation. I actually don't know the current status of it at the moment though.
I also heard rumblings that SO might do one soon. I haven't heard anything about it in like 6 months though.
Some Maplewood citizens want one and did some basic groundwork location-wise to have a temporary dog park on a small strip of land near the Maplewood Pool. The momentum literally peetered out when it came time to organizing and presenting to the Town Board. If anyone was interested in starting this up again, and is willing to do some REAL WORLD work I would say there is a chance that Maplewood could have one. Money didn't appear to be the issue since VERY MANY people offered to contribute funds to put in the fence, and I also vaguely remember a few local businesses offering to provide either free or discounted materials.
Do a search for dog park on MOL and you will see QUITE a few threads on the matter. |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 7160
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 5:13 pm: |
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The biggest problem encountered the last several times this question was raised was lack of open space which could be used for such a project. When you subtract the portion of the South Mountain Reservation which is located in Maplewood, there is very little open space in our town.
The parks we do have are already oversubscribed. As Alleygater posted above, the only posible space the dog park proponents could find was a narrow strip of land between the pool fence and the pool parking lot and part of this space had already been committed for another purpose.
A project, such as the one our neighbor Millburn is proposing which I understand would be in the Reservation itself has the best chance of providing the space, access and facilities needed while beingfar enough away from people's homes to limit NIMY concerns.
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Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11032
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 5:20 pm: |
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How about using part of Memorial Park by the river? It is a pretty spot and the dog owners can get a latte at Village Coffee before turning Fido out for his run. 
Seriously, there is a strip behind the pool parking lot that has been suggested. However, because of the location, there doesn't seem to be a lot of enthusiasm for that location. |
LazyDog
Citizen
Username: Lazydog
Post Number: 195
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 6:15 pm: |
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maybe the dogs can run around the Tony Smith sculpture ? It's certainly big enough that they'd get a good workout.  |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1728
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 6:57 pm: |
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As a dog lover and dog owner I'd love a dog run, but after researching the ins and outs of creating a really good dog walk, I'd only support it through private funds.
Basically to have a safe and clean dog run you need a Super French Drain, a combo of pebbles and sand, lots of fresh water daily to hose the urine down, and some liability insurance.
That and a piece of land that can be basically given away to dogs and pee and poop.
Again, as a dog owner I'd love that, but is it reasonable in a town with little to no open space? |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 4901
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 7:33 pm: |
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"...a strip behind the pool parking lot that has been suggested"
Elizabeth, the strip has been there for years. It’s been posted by the Maplewood Board of health, and continues to get daily use. I don't understand why it doesn't get more activity than it does...
It would be nice though if the TC followed up on past discussions about fencing it, enhancing it, and promoting it for increased township use... I suggest that you get a small group together and bring it up at a future meeting during the public comment period.
BTW, see if there's anything in the MOL archives on the thread called the "Perfect Solution." Good luck...
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extuscan
Citizen
Username: Extuscan
Post Number: 633
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 9:51 pm: |
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Probably not the cheapest option, but how about a part of Ward Homestead that abuts Maplecrest Park?
-John |
johnny
Citizen
Username: Johnny
Post Number: 1598
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 10:46 pm: |
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Since dog owners already treat "Dog Hill" near the train station as their own personal dog poop receptacle, why do we need one? |
toad
Citizen
Username: Toad
Post Number: 133
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 5:12 am: |
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Hey, that's a great idea. We'll form a militia, attack the Ward Homestead, take their land and erect a dog run. |
Elizabeth
Citizen
Username: Elizabethann
Post Number: 44
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 8:55 am: |
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I think funding it privately with the town's consent for land use would be a good idea. form a committee, set it up like the one in livingston and have membership fees (with dog tags). they have a model that seems to work. i really think it could be in south orange too. also, i am unaware of the "strip" by the maplewood pool. enlighten me please. |
steel
Citizen
Username: Steel
Post Number: 1002
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 9:28 am: |
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Bow Wow with taxes slated to go up and the TC looking under every rock for places to cut increases, (including the library), I would not expect any enthusiasm, (chance in Hell), for getting any money there.
As I recall discussions in the past, (others can correct me if I'm wrong):
a). I believe that you cannot allow access to any portion of public parks to paying Maplewood residents at the exclusion of other Maplewood residents.
b). The "strip" as was originally suggested by Art exists at the back of the pool parking lot between the lot and the tree line. As I recall most of the dog walkers liked the idea of taking a nice chunk of the beautiful Olmstead-firm-designed Memorial Park for the exclusive use for their beloved pets but seemed less keen to go over to the pool.
c) Many other residents were even less keen about fencing in a chunk of Memorial Park, (practically sacred ground), to be turned into a bare spot filled with yappy beasts stinkin' up the place.
d) Some dog owners were somewhat indignant that other people expressed that they were not so thrilled with the idea. -Sort-of like, -"if you've got a dog, swell, -don't make it my business".
Response: "But they're so LOVABLE". |
Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 3650
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 9:45 am: |
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OLD subject. Boring. No resolution possible in SOMA. Even JAC agrees. Give it up. Take a risk. Break the law. Or move. Sheeesh.
-s.
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Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1423
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 10:33 am: |
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Soda, are you turning into Straw?
Elizabeth, I am not a big fan of forcing people to get tags and preventing people from other areas from using the dog park. I use Echo Lake and Bloomfields park. I'm not saying I wouldn't support a tag only solution...but I'm not a fan of that model. I want INCLUSION, not exclusion.
Lydia: wth? You set the bar so high. Why even bother posting? Clearly you wouldn't use ANY dog park in our area, because NONE of them are up to your specs. I go to all of them, and they are all fine. Not sure why you have such demanding needs. Seriously, why bother even being involved in the conversation?
I'm not sure why you would say there is no resolution? The way I see it someone just needs to do the work. There is a strip of land, that can be used. Someone just needs to put together a REAL proposal, with prices, and upkeep costs. Maybe even contact a few local businesses to see if anyone would donate discounted or free fencing. From previous conversations there was discussion of creating a covered area for humans with possible seating. There was discussion of possible surface material covering (think dirt/mulch similar to Bloomfield's park). But NONE of those extras are actually requirements. Those are add-ons. And there were plenty of people who offered to donate CASH and PHYSICAL LABOR to set up the fencing which is the only NECESSITY.
Someone just needs to do the work of organizing the proposal. Once that is done, a GAGGLE of us show up to the TC meeting and hand in the proposal. If the upkeep and construction costs do not impact the tax payers, I really don't see why this would be rejected. The land by the pool was already authorized for a temporary location for the dog park until a better, more permanent location was found.
I also do not see why Milburn/SO/the Reservation location(s) would affect us having a dog park in Maplewood. The more the merrier and they would serve different purposes.
As for the location being "bad". I think everyone realizes that the pool isn't an optimal location. It is hard to get "excited" over it. Having said that, I think EVERYONE who wants a Maplewood dog park realizes that it is better than nothing until we find a more permanent optimal location. |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 4613
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 4:46 pm: |
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Steel you might be on to something with your reverence for the sacred ground of Memorial Park. Come to think of it it's incredible that people are allowed to use it at all.
I've seen groups of children allowed to run around on the lawns, despite the fact that they trample the grass underfoot and scare the birds and squirrels. Even high school sports teams are allowed to play on the grass with cleats. It's shocking what happens to the lawns under that kind of abuse.
In the summer crowds of people put blankets down for hours at a time at the amphitheater, and spill drinks and food, leaving the mess for nature to clean up, because they're listening to some kind of "concert".
Soon the "traditional" memorial day "duck race" will happen, with hundreds of people causing erosion on the banks of the river while great pieces of colored plastic are dumped in by the trash can full! Several years ago the prisine northern corner was turned into -- if you can believe this -- a playground for children. And don't even get me started on the Fourth of July, when large wild animals are penned it, trailers are parked on the grass, and explosive devices rain their debris and ash all over the lawn.
Where will it end? It's time to retire the park and turn it into the museum it deserves to be. The right kind of fence can allow respectful glances at it's beauty while protecting it from possible damage, because we can't allow actual use of such a gem; it can't be what Olmstead envisioned. |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 7164
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 5:17 pm: |
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Alleygater:
Are you aware of the dimensions of the strip of land by the pool? Things would get pretty crowded there if more than a few dog owners decided to use the space at the same time.
There might be a problem with using that area for a dog run when the pool is in session.
Also, the major cost over time is likely to be maintenance and upkeep of the dog run if/when it is installed. It is one thing to get a group of people interested in starting a dog run but unless there is a comprehensive plan for maintaining the space and paying for upkeep, the idea is unlikely to make it through the TC even if it's construction is entirely privately funded.
Does anyone know if town liability insurance would preclude volunteers contructing a dog run on town land or would the work have to be done entirely or under the direction of town employees? |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1730
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 8:50 pm: |
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Alleygator -
I'm interested in a dog run that can live next to homes and not stink to high heaven in July, can deal with run-off in January, and basically be a good neighbor in a town that has no open space.
Hoboken has at least 3 dog parks, and it costs a lot, the first tries were expensive messes (pun intended), they have to hose down the runs daily, deal with insurance, and pay a township worker to oversee the dog runs.
I'd love a good free-for-all dog run, but I'd like to see it done right - that's all. |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1442
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 10:47 pm: |
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So your saying that Echo Lake park smells to high heaven in July? |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1443
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 10:53 pm: |
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Joan, you don't like dogs. Your scared of dogs. You have been bitten by dogs. And yet here you are again with lots of helpful advice on dog parks. Thanks once again for your oh-so-helpful and always authoratative knowledge on all matters civic. |
aquaman
Supporter
Username: Aquaman
Post Number: 800
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 11:27 pm: |
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Alleygater,
Sarcasm isn't working. For you, anyway.
Thought you should know.
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Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1449
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 11:51 pm: |
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If it matters...and I don't think it does anymore. I did go back to delete my post, but unfortunately my 12 minutes were up. Damn you Ross brothers.
Oh yeah, but thanks for the help Aquaman. |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 7169
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 8:15 am: |
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Aleygater:
I am not opposed to the concept of a dog run. If you check the MOL attic, you will see that I was the first person on MOL to propose a dog run as a solution to the problem we were having with too many dogs running loose in Memorial Park. Check the attic further and you will find discussion of dogs who were running loose getting sick from drinking the water in the pond in the park and of dogs running out in the street who nearly got hit by passing cars.
Like Lydia, I want to see any dog park project done right but my main concern is for the safety and well being of the dogs who would be using such a facility. My concern for the neighbors of surrounding properties is also high but second to my concern for the dogs' welfare.
Finally, I don't want to see any dog run proposal which requires town funding either directly through the provision of labor and building materials or indirectly through having the town administer the dog park once it is established (Present budget realities are unlikely to get such a proposal through the TC when we are facing an increase in municipal taxes of approximately 8% this year if more cuts aren't made within the next week or so.)
I also believe firmly in developing a proposal which will work: location of a viable site (which in my opinion does not exist in today's Maplewood but does exist in the reserve which is farther from people's homes and has more open space avilable), solid design and construction plans for a dog park which will be ecologically friendly, sufficient short term commitment on the part of the organizers to raise the funds and provide the knowledgeable labor to obtain the necessary permission and/or permits and build the park properly and good long term plans for providing maintenance, security (for the dogs), and administration of the dog park.
Please tell me where it is that you and I disagree. |
Crazy_quilter
Citizen
Username: Crazy_quilter
Post Number: 231
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 8:46 am: |
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i have been to echo lake park on hot summer days when it was really stinky. |
steel
Citizen
Username: Steel
Post Number: 1003
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 9:49 am: |
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Tom, -funny stuff. I agree. It's horrifying how they let all those humans in the park.
-Woof woof. |
MAPLE
Citizen
Username: Maple1234
Post Number: 14
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 4:33 pm: |
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You official dog park is called south mountain reservation |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 1098
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 4:44 pm: |
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Isn't Millburn building one as we speak?
I thought I heard it was going to be across form the first aid squad building on Glenn,.
I would be happy enough to just use theirs! |
Elizabeth
Citizen
Username: Elizabethann
Post Number: 46
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 5:10 pm: |
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we use south mountain reservation, echo lake and the other one near westfield. they are all good options. i hope millburn follows through with one as it would be closer. that would be great! as far as maplewood and south orange, it doesn't see like a real priority according to most of these threads. |
slipknot (slippy)
Citizen
Username: Zotts
Post Number: 276
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 3:53 pm: |
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Can we use that stupid bocce ball court by the hardly used tennis courts, it is already dirt, and we can just extend the fence around that death trap of a swing set. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13343
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 31, 2006 - 9:06 am: |
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I hate to admit it, but that's a good suggestion. A year or two ago, I said I would like to clean up that court and start some bocce games. I love that sport. But I didn't. That means I probably won't. And probably, no one else will.
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The BARD
Citizen
Username: The_bard
Post Number: 36
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 31, 2006 - 10:14 am: |
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Cry 'Havoc,' and let slip the war of dog parks. |
eyespy
Citizen
Username: Eyespy
Post Number: 137
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 31, 2006 - 3:20 pm: |
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slipknot (slippy)
Citizen
Username: Zotts
Post Number: 280
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 31, 2006 - 3:55 pm: |
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Seems to me Tom this would be a better idea and actually get used. Perhaps it will add value to the woman selling her house up the street for the outrageous asking price of $829K. |
adobe
Citizen
Username: Bogart
Post Number: 6
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, April 6, 2006 - 7:17 am: |
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Where's Echo Lake? |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1595
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, April 6, 2006 - 11:30 am: |
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Echo Lake is talked about extensively on MOL. You can try the search function on this site to find it.
Having said that, it's in Westfield and it's extremely easy to get to.
In Maplewood, take Springfield Avenue toward Home Depot. Follow the traffic and note that as you pass Morris Avenue that the road changes names to Meisel Avenue. A few miles ahead the road will incline and go over route 22 and you will know that you are very close. About 3 lights after Route 22 (less than 1/2 mile approx.) take a right into Echo Lake Park which has a big sign on the right side which is pretty easy to see. The entrance to the dog park is also well marked and is on the right side about a 1/4 mile into the park. There is a steep incline leading up to the dog run and there is pretty good parking there. I live close to Springfield Avenue in town and it takes me LESS than 15 minutes to drive there. Enjoy. |
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