INTRODUCTION
Green Dog is a program which has been used in other cities like Melrose, where open space is limited. The Green Dog Program allows specific hours and locations for dog owners to allow their dogs off leash in designated city parks.
The Melrose Dog Society is a citizen group which was formed this year to work toward recreation options for dog owners. Please click the link in the right sidebar to get more information on Melrose Dog Society (MDS). The MDS has been working closely with the Melrose Parks Department and Melrose Canine Control to develop a draft Green Dog Proposal.PUBLIC MEETING- PROPOSED OFF-LEASH HOURSWhen: Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 7:00- 9:00 p.m.
Where: Melrose City Hall
Aldermanic Chamber, main floor
562 Main St.
FMI: Diane Kurkjian 781-979-4102dkurkjian@cityofmelrose.org
The purpose of this meeting will be to present a proposal to allow a trial of legal off-leash hours for dogs at the following parks: Melrose Common, Hesseltine Field and Franklin Field. Public comments will be collected to aid the Parks Commission in voting on this matter at a future date.
DRAFT GREEN DOG RULES AND REGULATIONS
The Green Dog Program of Melrose could be an innovative approach to meeting our dogs’ and dog owners’ desire to have time off-leash, while sharing the spaces seamlessly with other park users in our urban community. Pending approval, the City of Melrose would conduct a pilot program at three off-leash areas across the city, with specific off-leash hours established by the Melrose Parks Commission. Dog owners are allowed to play with and train their dogs off-leash during these designated times following the program criteria and rules. The pilot program will begin on DATE and will be reassessed by the Parks Commission on DATE. The Melrose Canine Officer will monitor compliance with the Green Dogs criteria and rules, and prepare an assessment at the end of the pilot program for the Melrose Parks Commission.
The City of Melrose and the Melrose Dog Society will help promote a successful dog program. Each Green Dog Park will have a liaison that will:
· Promote, enlist and encourage others to promote a successful program.
· Answer questions and attempt to resolve issues.
· Receive and forward comments, complaints, unresolved issues, suggestions and general information from dog walkers and abutters to the Melrose Canine Control Officer and Melrose Dog Society. See contacts below.
· Report abuses to the Melrose Canine Control Officer and Melrose Dog Society.
To help ensure that our residents, visitors and dogs enjoy a quality experience, participants must meet these criteria and follow these rules. Failure to comply may jeopardize the Green Dog Program.
I. Criteria:
1. Aggressive dogs are not permitted on or off-leash.
2. Dogs must be at least four months old to participate in the program.
3. Dogs in heat are not allowed off-leash.
4. Dogs must be healthy (no contagious conditions, diseases, or parasites).
5. Only dogs licensed in their home city and with an up-to-date rabies tag are permitted off leash.
6. Dogs must have the following info on their collar: dog license tag, rabies tag, home address and contact phone number.
II. Park Rules:
1. Dogs are only allowed off leash at participating parks at established hours.
2. Dogs must be on leash until they are inside the park. Keep your leash on hand at all times.
3. One dog walker may walk no more than two dogs and the dog walker must have a separate leash for each dog.
4. Aim to improve neighborhood relations and the overall condition at the parks. Sweep the parks during daylight hours to pick up litter and any missed dog waste from others.
5. Dog walkers must carry at least two waste pick-up bags per dog and must pick up and properly dispose of their dog(s) waste. Encourage others to do the same and pick up others when necessary.
6. Dog walkers must carry a flashlight during dusk or dark hours to aid finding dog waste. Car lights must switched off immediately after parking.
7. Dogs must be in sight at all times.
8. Dog walkers must fill in holes with the loam supplied at each park and report any poor or unsafe field conditions to the Melrose Park Department.
9. No barking dogs. Barking disturbs neighbors and will jeopardize the Green Dog program.
10. Dog walkers must have their dogs under control and under voice control at all times (dog responds to and obeys your verbal commands).
11. Dogs may not harass, bully, or show continued aggression towards other dogs, and must be immediately leashed and controlled from affecting others.
12. Dogs are not allowed to approach other visitors unless invited to do so. Be mindful of your dog so that other park visitors, children, and their dogs are not anxious about their safety. Many people (and sometimes other dogs) do not like unfamiliar dogs.
13. Dogs not able to obey Rules 10 - 12 must participate in a “Come When Called” training program to be allowed off leash. Contact the Melrose Canine Control Officer.
14. Check for park closed signs or crews working in the park, which means off-leash hours are suspended.
15. Check these sites for property-specific or updated Green Dogs regulations before your visit:www.cityofmelrose.org/departments/animalcontrol.htm & http://www.melrosedogsociety.org/.
16. Report Green Dog Program violations to the Melrose Canine Control Officer. 17. Report aggressive dogs to the Melrose Police Department.
TRIAL PERIOD AND PROPOSED HOURS
1. The trial period would be November 1 through December 31, then the program will be re-evaluated.
2. These are the proposed hours:
Common M-F (7am- 9am) M-F (7pm- 9pm) S-S (7am- 7:45am) S-S (6pm- 8pm)
Hesseltine M-F (7am- 7:45am) " " "
Franklin M-F (7am- 9am) " " "
TO LEAVE A COMMENT
Please click the comment link at the bottom of this post. Please include your name, and remember that this is a conversation between neighbors, so civility is much appreciated.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE SIGN YOUR POSTS! Part of the reason last night's meeting went so well was that people spoke face to face, acknowledging that they were having a conversation with neighbors and fellow citizens. On an online forum, anonymity can cause people to forget to be respectful. Also, although we are not strictly counting numbers of for/against comments, if people are not signing their posts it is hard to tell whether 10 citizens are posting or 1 citizen is posting 10 times. Thank you for your input! -Diane Kurkjian
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52 comments:
To all Melrose residents who play or whose children play on the following fields Hesseltine (Horace Mann School), The Common, and Franklin (soccer). Melrose is asking for comments regarding allowing dogs to be unleashed in these parks. The proposed hours are M-F from 7-9 AM and 7-9 PM and Sat and Sun 7-7:45 PM and 6-8 PM. As most of you know the leash law in these parks is ignored by many dog owners already. This has lead to dogs running through games and their waste not being picked up. The only recourse we have when this occurs is being able to remind owners that there is a leash law in Melrose.
As you know the city and dog owners are working on creating a dog park on the corner or Tremont and the Lynn Fells Parkway. This should be encouraged as this area is not used as a recreation field. Allowing off leash time on the city fields would weaken the need or even lead the city to believe that there is no longer such a need. In the meantime dogs could be allowed of leash in the following none recreation areas. The gazebo area at El Pond, Cedar park (minus Saturday mornings when it’s used for Tia Chi), the Hoover School. The Hoover school is mostly tarred which would make it easy to spot anything and isn’t used much after school. Signs should be posted to remind dog owners that these areas need to be kept clean and odor containing barrels should be provided for this need and handle by dog owners. Selecting one or two areas for temporary use by dog owners would provide a good test of how effectively dog owners will maintain a future dog park.
Melrose has spent a great deal of money over the last few years to upgrade the local parks and they should not be used as toilets, even by man’s best friend. Melrose should have a dog park, and dogs should not be on the recreation fields at any time, as this has not worked for years.
Stephen Gallant, First st. Melrose
I have been going to the common for 9 years with my dog and support this effort by all to create the off lease times.
Only question I have is why are the hours on Sat & Sun limited to 7:00-7:45 when the rest of the week is 7:00-9:00.
The youth groups using the park start at 9:00 so it would seem more logical to keep the hours 7-9 all week.
During the 9 years I have been going to the common, the dog owners have always been cooperative with youth groups and as they start to arrive at 8:30 or 9:45, the dog owners have left.
I feel strongly that there should be an area in Melrose where people can bring their dogs in order that they receive the much needed exercise and play time that they require. It would be nice to be able to bring my dog for a hike through a scenic setting which would be mutually beneficial, without fear of receiving a ticket.
"Common Sense"
As a 40+ year family resident of a domicile overlooking the Common, I have seen over the years what a dedicated and beautiful job our city officials have done to make the Commons park/playground the jewel of the city it has become for all to enjoy. It is now being threatened by a selfish, special interest group of dog owners who feel that the city & tax payers have a responsibility to provide in the care & development of their pets, which after all they made a personal decision to aquire responsibility for.
There is no reason for a off leash dog trial, a trial has been going on for several years - dogs owners have totally disregarded and flaunted the leash law that is plainly posted in several locations at the Commons. The results, from personal observation - the problem is not the dogs, it's the dog owners. They don't proctor their dogs behavior and the dogs are running loose digging up the park and urinating everywhere over the playing fields. Yes some do pick up their dogs feces, but then deposit them in public receptacles that the residents of the neighborhood have to deal with - on a smell as well as a rodent attraction basis.
Have some concern for who use the park !
A Friend of the Common
Let's consider some realities:
- The city has a leash law on the books to protect the public. The Parks Commission is not a legislative body an has no authority to amend a city ordinance. This is the domain of the Board of Alderman & the Mayor.
-Even if there was a legal basis for a trial, who is going to monitor it? The animal control officer Diane admits she has no effectual authority & is only a part- time city employee with limited hours (coincidentally outside the time frames the special interest group is proposing). Is the plan to have the participants in the trial be judge & jury?
-The proposed trial period is during months that utilization of the Common is off-peak. Very clever - having an evaluation at a time when potential contact with children and clashes with other park activity participants is at a minimum.
-The city departments charged with enforcing the leash law have totally failed in the their responsibility to do so. Call Animal Control & if you are lucky enough to get an answer from Diane, here response is that since she can not issue citations and she is totally powerless to resolve this unleashed dog situation. If you get her recorded voice mail message, she deferrers the matter to the Melrose Police who state it is an animal control issue. Call the Board of Health or the Parks Commission and they also defer to animal control. The dog owners know this - can't say aren't smart enough to foster their agenda when everyone (but not all) at the helm are asleep or apathetic.
The Commons is a Mecca for children and sports activities. It would be insane to have dogs running out of control in an area with a tot lot, located in a school zone & in a place where joggers, walkers, and residents of the Osterman retirement home utilize the sidewalk circumference of the park. It's a fact that I have witnessed that these unleashed dogs pose a physical hazard to these individuals walking the park.
Dogs in the common pose a health risk for humans. Unleashed dog owners say they pick-up after their dogs, but the urine and holes made by dogs on the fields where children play in is disgusting. The tax payers of Melrose have paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in infrastructural improvements to the Common - new ball fields, sprinkler system, refurnished tot lot, etc... This is now a proposed as a toilet for those dog owners who probably don't want their dogs messing in their own yard. The premise of dog socialization is nonsense. If a human has a socialization problem they see a "shrink". Should the city do something different for canines ?
The children and others utilizing the various facilities at the Common deserve to be protected fron the safety, health and public nuisance hazards that unleashed dogs pose running loose in a residential neighbor present.
I have had eight dogs in my life and like dogs. I took the responsibility of the care for them and abided by local ordinances regarding the responsibilities of dog owners for their pets. Seems to me that proponents of this proposal should do the same.
How can you call this a Melrose Green Dog Proposal when the results are yellow spots on our Common. We are not all as passive or blind as the city officials who choose to close their eyes on enforcing a leash law on the books. Perhaps a better name for your off leas=h proposal would be "Leave in Their Yard, Not Mine. " Your proposal is parasitic with disregard for the greater public good.
A Friend of The Common
The barking of dogs running ramant and unleashed on the Commons is presently unbearable on Sunday mornings. This takes place at an early hour - 6:30 am to 7:00 am. These canines and their owners have definitely become a public disturbanceto to neighbors abutting the Common.
It is also unfair that are youth sports groups, softball, soccer atc... have to play on a filed that has been earlier been used as a public urinal for dogs with no regard for the health of out children that use it next.
If someone woke these dog owners up early on a Sunday and left dog waste on their yard they might feel the same way. !
As a resident and tax payer of Melrose, I believe it is only fair and equitable for EVERYONE to have access to the parks and fields that our tax dollars protect and maintain.
By allowing "green dog" hours, you would be allowing the parks and fields to be used by responsible dog owners. The people who proposed these shared hours are the same people who always pick up after their dogs and make sure they are properly trained and socialized. These residents pick up trash left by children and families that use the parks, and even volunteered monthly "park clean up days" to make sure the fields are left in excellent condition.
You'll notice that the "green dog" hours are at the beginning and end of the day when the fields are empty. Dog owners aren't asking for peak park times, nor do they want to "bother" other residents -- they simply want a time to exercise their pets while meeting and socializing with other Melrose residents.
I totally agree that with the 'off-peak' hours for dog owners to use specific parks. I own a dog and only let my dog loose at 7:00am when nobody is around. I always clean up after my dog as do all the other owners I see there because we know that we are lucky to be able to let our dogs run around once a day. (Besides I do not like stepping in dog poo either.) The rest of the day I take my dog for a walk on-leash and stay out of the way of the various youth sports so that everyone gets use and enjoyment of the park. Another positive note is that since I have been coming to the park (and other dog owners) the geese no longer cover the field with their droppings.
We moved to Melrose 3 years ago and are owners of a great rescue dog. We pay taxes, do not have school age children, and are forced to travel to nearby cities to allow our dog to run off leash. The cities of Somerville and Cambridge have dog parks and it is proven to be a great asset to their city. Let join these cities and allow Melrose to become a dog friendly, off leash city.
You got to love the sympathetic remarks by dog owners stating that they let their dogs run loose around 7:00 am when there is noboby around to bother. Hello, ther is a leash law ! Maybe you should leave your name an address for the animal control officer as someone who has total disregard for laws that are in place.
I walk my dog every day from 6:15 to 6:55AM and I run him off-leash at Franklin Field behind Foodmaster. I pickup after my dog and pride myself on not leaving any trace of dog waste on the field. I also walk the field daily and pick up after those who are too busy to pick up their remains of the day. This typically includes water bottles, wrappers and the occasional beer cans left behind by residents and their children.
I offer the following observations in response to detractors of the proposal for trail dog parks:
• Franklin field is devoid of goose poop. The same can not be said of other fields in town including those used by the Melrose Jr. and Sr. High Schools.
• It is my understanding that the City has recently taken to shooting geese to “thin the resident flock” and donated these game birds to local food pantries. Mmm, Mmm Good!
• The vast majority of dogs I come into contact with are well-behaved, quiet and respond on command.
• Those dogs unable to remain quiet and obey their owners would be unable to participate in this trial program.
• Soccer coaches have stopped several dog owners and commented they have no problem sharing Franklin field as the scent of dogs has kept the geese from settling on the playing fields.
• I’m unaware of any incident where disease from domesticated dogs has jumped species to mankind.
• I have not encounter joggers who want to run on Franklin field that early in the morning. I should note that I wear boots because the sprinkler system tends to over-saturate the playing field. City sprinklers also dilute the infrequent dog pee that is concentrated on fences that surround the field.
• There are dogs that bark and are ill-tempered. The current proposal would enable dog owners to self-police, eliminate noise and encourage friendly social interaction of their pets.
In response to the post regarding the leash law. The whole point of this proposal is to allow people to let their dogs off leash in specific places and specific times that do not interfere with the normal usage of the park. As virtually every dog owner has stated- we walk our dogs on leash during 'normal hours'. The leash law will not go away, the proposal will only provide a specific exception to the law so that we do not have to be 'lawbreakers' when there is no impact to anyone...like at 7am.
>>"Those dogs unable to remain quiet and obey their owners would be unable to participate in this trial program."
Well, who is going to stop them? It's already been made clear that the PT dog officer does not issue citations, and will not even be on duty during the proposed times.
>>"I’m unaware of any incident where disease from domesticated dogs has jumped species to mankind. "
Dogs are carnivorous, so their feces poses a definite health risk to anyone who comes into contact with it.
Dog poop is more of a health threat than goose poop.
It seems to me that the city needs to focus first on enforcing the leash law, and mandating owner responsibility before allowing such a proposal to pass.
We do not need an off-leash time frame in the city of Melrose! There is already a place where dogs and their owners can run their pets off leash only a couple of miles from here. Called the Sheepsfold I believe it's on the Winchester/Stoneham border adjacent to RT 93. Plenty of parking a HUGE field and plenty of trails to use. Also the geese problem was taken care of by the city and not the dog owners and their dogs. As a soccer coach and a dog owner I feel that it is not necessary to have our dog off leash unless she is in our house or our backyard. We do bring our dog to the soccer games sometimes always with a leash!
IT'S THE LAW!!!
I have coached Melrose youth soccer for the past six years and have cleaned more dog waste off the fields than I wish to count. The feces and urine get on the kids cleats and is transported to their cars and homes. The waste also gets on the ball that the kids are handling. Have the dogs leave their waste in their owners yards.
The leash law is a necessity. On several occasions I have had dogs interrupt practices. But one occasion has always stayed with me. My team was practicing at Franklin and my 5 year old daughter was picking dandelions. A dog owner let his two dogs off their leashes and was unconcerned about the kids in the park. The dogs spotted my daughter and began to chase her. She was scared and not knowing better ran. By the time I reached them the dogs had knocked her to the ground. Luckily the dogs were only playing with her, but it could have ended worse. The dogs owner never apologized for the incident claiming his dogs are harmless. My point is that kids do not know whether a dog is playful or harmful. The leash law needs to stay in force to protect not only the kids but all residents and guests of Melrose. As far as exercising the dogs, buy them a treadmill.
There is no way a group of dogs should be allowed to use the same fields that children use to play sports.
I do NOT want my kids playing on the same grass that a bunch of animals have urinated and pooped on.
Clean it up any way you want, but pee and poop residue will be there, and I don't want it on my kids body or clothes.
I feel off leash green space hours could be a great compromise for all residents who may frequent the park and it may in fact help our parks more than hinder them.
I say this not as a dog owner but as someone who has lived, actually abutting parks, in communities where it has worked, when I did not own a dog. I found the outcome to actually be quite civil and that the parks were cleaner. Dog owners actually did respect the rules and only allowed their dogs off leash during designated off leash hours. I even enjoyed meeting the dogs on my walk to work every now and then. Also, it didn’t seem to hinder the usage of the park at all because majority of the time these parks were heavily used for a wide variety of everyday activities, such as little tot soccer, ultimate Frisbee league games, school softball practices/games, daycare outings, etc. And not once during those times did I ever see dogs off leash or interrupting. And I can only assume that this is because residents respected each other and the rules of the park.
The other area I could see this as a help to our parks is with cleanliness. I just moved to Melrose last spring and I noticed that many of my neighbors own dogs. Yet, since living here I have not once woken up to or seen a lone pile of poo on my front lawn or at the common. On the flip side I have noticed, nearly daily, that I wake to random pieces of trash strewn about on my lawn and/or the common and that frustrates me - especially at the common where there are trash cans every 20 feet along the perimeter. But I pick it up and move on because just as one can choose to not pick up after their dog, one can choose to litter. However, thus far my experience here in Melrose has been that there are more people who litter than there are irresponsible dog owners. And from my experience in other towns, if anything off leash hours may in fact help clean up some of the late night litter, because, as dog owners are accustomed to picking up poo they are also accustomed to constantly picking up trash that their animals are trying to eat and throwing it away.
So all in all, I feel shared use of these spaces may actually create cleaner park spaces, happy users on all fronts and I strongly support a trail period to see if allowing this would help everyone, not just the dog owners.
Even if the Parks Dept. had the authority to grant a trial (which they don't since they have no legal authority to change the law) who would believe that a group of dog owners that have continually flauted public ordinances as ithey relate to dogs is creditable enough to self monitor & evaluate off-leash results in any other way than to reflect favorably on their cause.
No one fron the Melrose Dog Society has even bothered to be in touch with any of the residents who abbut the Common. Why?
Don't think you are going to jam this proposal down our neighborhood before we have a chance to have our say.
There are far too many people in this city that do not pick up their dog's waste. Dog waste is a huge problem at Hesseltine. The students are stepping in it at recess, kids playing in the field are stepping in it, ask the principal or teachers and they'll tell you.
Every spring that my daughter plays soccer at the Franklin field I have to clean dog waste from her soccer cleats.
Already dogs are running free at these parks and there's a huge problem with dog waste.
What about the hours from 7-9AM at Hesseline? Kids are lining up for school during those times right next to the park. Dogs running free and 100's of kids lining up for school - it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that eventually a kid is going to get bit or hurt.
If people want a dog park I am all for it, but it needs to be in a separate place where kids don't play. The Tremont St. proposal sounds good.
I support the idea of a place for dogs to run off-leash, but NOT at the parks where my kids play youth sports. As it is, they have stepped in way too much dog poop during practices and games, and allowing off-leash use of sports fields is not going to improve that situation.
Please, find a different space.
Oh, and 6-8 pm is prime youth sports practice time. NO WAY should there be dogs running around off-leash where large groups of children, some of whom may be afraid of dogs, are present.
I've seen people letting their dogs run free on the TURF fields at pine banks.
What better way to ruin these community investments than letting dog owners have their pet run all over them, doing its business !!!
Stop these pet owners NOW !!!
If they don't have space on their own property to let their pets run free, then they shouldn't own them!!!
To those parents who comment on dog waste at the common - I can't tell you how many times I walk around the park with my dog and pick up trash - soda bottles, ice cream cups, candy wrappers - from the kids (or parents?) who just throw trash on the ground after a game.
I think it should be the responsibility of all people who use the common to clean up after themselves - whether a pet or a child. After all it is called the 'Common' and should be used and respected by all Melrose residents.
There is a large dog run called Bark Place at nearby Breakheart Reservation (http://www.saugus.org/FOBR/maps/BarkPlaceMap.pdf) that seems better suited for the purpose of dog owners than our children's play spaces. How lucky we are to have such a terrific open space for off-leash dogs nearby. If dog owners are reluctant to drive 5 minutes up the road to Breakheart, one can only wonder if their need is dire enough to merit passing this proposal.
Unfortunately we've seen that pet owners can not always control their pets (an off-leash dog recently knocked our 15-month old to the ground at Hesseltine Field--luckily it was not an aggressive animal) nor can all of them be relied upon to clean up after their pets (dog waste is already a problem at Hesseltine, as are holes dug in the field). Unfortunately it only takes a few poorly trained animals or irresponsible pet owners to ruin it for everyone, and kids shouldn't have to pay the price.
Hesseltine Field, Franklin Field, and Melrose Common need to be be kept safe and clean for the many, many children who use them. We are dog lovers who are strongly against the Green Dog proposal and we would support increased enforcement of current leash laws in these spaces.
Sue Federico, Harold St.
I can certainly say that I have been on both sides of this issue...as a parent of small children with no dog, and as a dog owner with older children who play youth sports. I can agree with the posters who say there is a huge problem with dog feces on the playing fields, school yards, and playgrounds. There is also a problem with dog owners who are not respectful of others,(like the owners who bring their dogs INSIDE the Common Tot Lot, despite the no dogs sign). I do have a few suggestions to help build a better relationship between dog-owners and other city residents.
1. With regard to the dog waste removal ordinance, the city needs to greatly increase signage. I have seen a few very effective signs in the city which indicate that dog waste spreads disease, and is a finable offense. These signs are much more effective and attention grabbing than "all dogs must be leashed and waste removed" Increasing signage makes it much easier for residents to self-police, and is the first step to increasing compliance.
2. If the green-dog program is to be effective, there cannot be any conflicts with school activites and youth sports. I would urge the Melrose Dog Society to contact the principals at the HM and Winthrop schools to find out when phys-ed is scheduled in the good weather. I would also suggest contacting Frank Olivieri at the Rec department to find out when the fields will be in use for various activities. There have been frightening instances of off-leash dogs chasing children during youth sports games in the past. An incidence such as this will jeaprodize the program. It seems to me that some of the proposed Green Dog hours may conflict with the schools and youth sports organizations usage of the fields...better to get clarification now.
3. The city needs to craft an enforceable dangerous dog ordinance. Problems with aggressive dogs have plagued the Melrose community for years. Victims of aggressive dogs have no recourse in Melrose, as the city has no ordinance that allows animal control to effectively deal with problem dogs and owners. Residents may feel safer regarding shared space if they knew problem dogs would be dealt with quickly and effectively.
Please do not allow open lease times on these parks, not even a trial of 2 months. I'm all for a new dog park with no lease law but not the parks at the schools. My kids go to Horace Mann and ECC, they play sports at both Hesseltine & Franklin and the ECC use Greanleaf Park at Franklin for recess at times. Why is it that the 3 parks in question are all used by the schools? Can Cedar Park or the gazebo area not be considered where there are no sports & school activities. I've picked up dog poop in the playground at Hesseltine where dogs are not even allowed and the school always have problems with poop on the field. I agree with some of the posters about trash and I do pick up other peoples trash but trash isn't disgusting to step in is it?
Please confirm what the trial times are for Hesseltine? In one place it says 7-7.45am and nothing at night but in another it's 7-9am. It can't be 7-9, the lines at the school start at 7.55 usually and we walk through the park to get there. There can't be dogs off leash at that time.
Within the last 2 days, I have witnessed 3 separate incidents of dog waste being left at Hesseltine Field and the surrounding neighborhood.
Just this morning there was dog poop on the black top right where the kids line up for school. Then I witnessed a woman wiping poop off her shoe with tissues and leaving them on my front walk. I ran to get her a bag and some wet paper towels, but when I returned, she had driven away, leaving the dirty tissues and poop in front of my house.
I don't know what's worse, the person who left the dog poop, or the one who left her crappy tissues behind.
I like to think that most dog owners are responsible and considerate, but the fact remains that the RUDE people ruin it for the rest of us. There should definitely NOT be any off leash hours at any school field in Melrose.
Horace Mann uses the fields for P.E. classes and recess, and the kids end up bringing poop in to the building (I believe the Winthrop School uses the common for P.E. too). It is really disgusting and is infact an interruption to the school day. As one gentleman at the meeting recalled - the kids have to get new clothes or shoes sometimes. At HM this happens way too often. The kids are playing football, rolling around on the fields that the dogs do their duty on. Unfortunately, too many dog owners are not responsible and already let the dogs off leash, and cannot possibly pick up the poop when the dog is off leash at night (I have seen many dogs off leash on my way into evening meetings or events at the school).
I do not begrudge the dogs or their owners a place to congregate, socialize, and excercise, but I think that having the dog park on a school playground / athletic field is asking for trouble. What happens if an off leash dog bites a child at a baseball or soccer game during the trial period, or when the kids are lining up in the morning to go into the school? Would the city be responsible?
I spoke with Monica Medeiros (Ward 2 Alderman) after the meeting. When asked how the sites for the proposal were selected, she said she thought they were chosen because there is a problem in these locations with people letting their dogs off leash already. It seems to me that rather than deal with the problem, in giving them this study, we would be rewarding those that break the law by caving into their demands. Why don't we try enforcing the laws that exist to protect the health and well being of our residents?
I am sure if we think about it we can come up with better locations for a dog park, locations that do not include school playgrounds or athletic fields.
There are only less than 1,500 dogs licensed with the city (per Animal Control) & more than 5,000 plus dogs in the city (per Melrose Dog Society). Why should we be be sympathetic to the selfish motives of dog owners who flaunt the laws of Melrose presently by not obtaining a license for their dog & letting these undocumented, unleashed hounds run loose in 3 public parks in the cty. No way !
My children attend the Horace Mann school and I am 100% against the use of Hesseltine Park (and any other park near a school or otherwise used by chidren) for this purpose.
I agree with the commenters who have complained about dog waste. In addition, my family and I used the Hesseltine baseball field regularly. On more than one occassion last summer, we had to leave much earlier than we had planned because many owners showed up at about the same time and all let their dogs off leash. Several dogs jumped on me and my children, and never once did an owner apologize or try to control their dogs. Rather, they tended to be socializing with other owners, totally oblivious to the havoc their dogs were wreaking. At the time, I thought that perhaps the leash law had been repealed, since so many people (sometimes 10 or 15 at once) were doing it.
I also agree with the comments that its absurd to think that we can trust dog owners to obey any rules set forth with them when so many completely disregard the leash laws.
We are fortunate in Melrose to have so many open spaces - Mount Hood, Pine Banks and the Fells Woods to name a few. Dog owners should get together and decide to congregate in one of those places, where there is plenty of open space for them and no conflict with the use of the space by schools and children.
- Colleen Murphy
I live right near Franklin field and have witnessed dog owners letting their dogs off the leash on a daily basis. Morning, noon and night. While a small minority of dog owners do keep their dog on the leash, as is required, most do not. I have witnessed dogs pooping and owners not even noticing. I have been attacked and jumped on numerous times over the years that I have lived here. I am no longer able to use the field at all, because of the dog poop and the aggressive dogs, not to mention the rude dog owners.
I have asked dog owners to please leash their dogs, and have been yelled at, threatened, accused of lying, and mocked. Dogs have jumped on me and the owners make no attempt to restrain their dog, or even apologize! Dogs are going to do what they do, run, bite, jump, poop, etc. It is up to the dog OWNER to manage their dog and make sure that their dog is not enfringing on anyone else's rights or enjoyment of a shared space.
While I can understand the wish for a dog park, it is ridiculous to reward irresponsible dog owners with off-leash hours. Especially in the very fields where they are already showing complete disrespect! It just doesn't make sense to combine an athletic field with a dog park. I feel so bad watching the kids play soccer, knowing how much poop is out there.
I moved to this house specifically for the park, because I wanted to have picnics, lay in the sun, go jogging or for a nice stroll. I can not do ANY of these things in the park, because of the rude, inconsiderate, law-breaking dog owners. And that really pisses me off. Why are their needs more important than mine? I have the right to use that field as well, but I can not do that.
When dog owners are already not following the rules- what makes anyone think they will obey the new rules? I had an upsetting encounter with a man a few weeks ago who told me, "I don't need a leash, I don't need to watch my dog. I can do whatever I want. The dog officer said it's ok. She is turning this into a dog park anyways, and then you won't be able to say anything." Dog owners have brought up Diane several times to me, telling me that she knows they are at the park, she knows the dogs are off the leash, and that she told them it's fine.
In speaking with dog owners, it has become very clear to me that the Canine Control Officer (Diane) is not doing her job. She is clearly biased towards the needs of the dog owners. She refuses to cite anyone for breaking the law. There is a huge conflict of interest here.
In fact, I have been complaining to Diane about dog owners in Franklin field for the past 2 months. Isn't it interesting that she NEVER informed me about the Green Initiative, or the City Hall meeting that took place last week? Why did she withhold that information from me? Maybe she didn't want anyone to tell the truth about what is actually happening in Franklin field. I find it incredibly appalling that someone who is supposed to be protecting us from dogs, is actually trying to stop us from speaking out.
I haven't heard back from Diane in at least a month. She never followed up with me after promising to talk to dog owners. She never followed up on her promise to go to the field between 6:00-7:00 am and talk to dog owners. She withheld important information from me. Reading this blog post is a complete joke. I live right next to Franklin field, yet I was never notified about this green initiative. Is that what Diane means about working with all of the people who would be affected by the green initiative?
I support a separate dog park, but this green initiative is a joke. I'm really appalled at the way this is being handled.
Before jumping into possible solutions – Melrose needs to consider the following:
1) The laws in the city states that dogs cannot be off-leash – bust/fine the violators that do. (In this tough economic environment – the city could use the revenue). Walk to one of these parks at night especially after a little league/soccer game – Hesseltine for example – and sit back and watch all of the unleashed dogs come out – it is like clockwork. So forget the rhetoric that this can not be ‘enforced’.
2) Enforcement - Where is the Animal Control Officer? Why is she involved in proposing this agenda? She is NOT doing her job and only pushing this study instead of doing the job she was actually hired to do.
3) Safety – The proposal names a number of schools/parks. Cars should not be parking in the school yards after dusk – it is clearly posted – take a look. This is another violation. Ticket or tow the cars.
4) Public Health - Last summer, several local beaches in MA and NH were closed due to high bacteria counts. That count level is largely due to dog feces. Is the city’s Board of Health taking any samples at these fields? Perhaps if it did - we would not be entertaining the question of where to have off-leash hours for dogs, since all dogs would be banned from all school playgrounds and athletic fields.
This is all common sense – don’t complicate it.
There should absolutely be a place to let our dogs run free. However, a school park is not the right place.
At the Horace Mann, the field abuts the parking lot where the children line up. The proposed 7-9 am dog hours would coincide with approximately 300 children lining up for school as well as teachers pulling into the parking lot to park in their designated parking spots.
I am both a dog owner and a parent. I completely understand both the importance of free space for our animals to run and a safe environment for our children.
Let's create a fenced in dog park away from children trying to attend school.
And to those of you tax payers not utilizing our schools. You are using them. Good schools improve the value of your homes and create safe neighborhoods.
You've got to be kidding - dogs running around unleashed near and around our elementary schools?! Not all children enjoy dogs and some are extremely allergic to pets. We have a very local area at Breakheart where dogs can room around unleashed - Melrose should have a place as well - far from our schools. I can anticipate many problems and possible lawsuits: dog bite cases especially, along with allergy concerns, e-coli issues, etc. In my opinion, we should exercise common sense when planning a dog park here in Melrose - school fields are an inappropriate venue!
Diane, please let us know what the outcome of the meeting and comments are. The proposal is for the trial to start on Sunday! When will we be informed if this trial is to go ahead or not. You said on your Introduction that the Parks Dept will vote on this. Please find another space in Melrose that are not used by schools/sports programs. Dogs are a big enough problem in these parks without having off-leash hours.
Im a father of two children who use Franklin Field and they go to school at Horance Mann. I feel the city could be held liable if a dog attack occurs in one of the town parks. There is a reason official leash-free dog parks are caged. It protects the general public from biological and physical dangers such as ecoli and dog attacks. Dog urine makes green grass turn brown. Fecal matter remains after (or IF) most of it is removed. Dogs have aggressively charged family members while using the Franklin Field. The dog owners attitude is a whole different story, but chances are you will never hear the words "sorry" fall from thier lips. A "sorry" would imply wrongdoing. That being said, I dont blame the dogs, and happen to enjoy them. I blame dog owners for letting an aggressive dog off-leash in public.
Allowing dogs to run free in school zone parks during pre and post school hours where they could encounter school children is a risk I dont think the Town of Melrose should take. Yes, all three parks proposed for the study are in school zones.
Here is a thought for dog owners, raise funds, buy land, build a fence, and let your dogs run free. No dog parks should be paid for by the residents of Melrose. A dog park on the corner of Tremont and the Lynn Fells would produce a foul-smelling eyesoar. I encourage the parks dept and aldermans to look at dog parks in other communities. Ask yourselves if that's what you want in a the beautifully-maintained parks of Melrose.
I've seen the dogs down the park and yes they are having a wonderful time. However, they also take over the park, and the owners are all together chatting. No one is truely watching the dogs, the the kids are confined to the park instead of the field. When the dogs arrive the kids all go into the inclosed park. Our children are not animals, who need to be caged.
I do believe there is an area at the Horace Mann park that could be fenced in for the dogs. At the far end of the Park or next to the basketball court.
Horace mann student...
I agree... The dogs often leave there poop on the field behind our school.. Many of my friends have stepped or falling into poop. It is so gross.. My mother had to come pick me up from school.. I should not be missing school because of dogs..
The dogs need a place to run as well. we should put up a fence near the basketball court so everyone is happy.
Horace Mann Student Glendale Ave.
John
I am disappointed and in some cases disgusted at the attitude toward dogs and dog owners by many of you on this blog. As a proud, responsible dog owner and tax-paying neighbor, let me set the record straight about a few things.
First of all, please don't categorize all dogs as aggressive, constantly pooping waste machines destroying the community. Like hundreds of thousands of others, my hubsand Greg and I got our boy Flynn from American Lab Rescue. He was slated to be put to sleep in a high-kill shelter in Tennessee before we saved him from that fate. Flynn is a beautiful, handsome, extremely well-trained graduate of Canine University and the most gentle, sweet, loving creature you will ever meet. Kids love Flynn, and he loves them back. He is our boy - to insult him is like insulting our kid - and we will defend him accordingly. He does not deserve your irrational, random and frequently anonymous attacks.
Second, let's talk about picking up after our kids - human or canine. I live two blocks from Franklin Park and join my fellow neighborhood dog owners for what we call "puppy party" 6:15-6:45am each weekday - the dogs' favorite time of day. All of us pick up after our dogs EVERY TIME, and expect the same of all owners. There is a litany of trash - Dorito bags, orange peels, empty styrofoam or plastic beverage containers - left behind at the park by kids and their families on a daily basis. We pick up these messes to keep our dogs from eating something unhealthy. Living across from the high school, we often find all sorts of trash alongside the sidewalk - left by dogs? No. Humans - kids, teenagers and yes, occasionally their parents. To make this whole discussion of needing to pick up after ourselves solely about dogs and dog owners is both inaccurate and ridiculous. EVERYONE in this town needs to pick up after themselves in ALL of the common spaces that we use - parks, sidewalks, etc. To imply that dog owners don't care about the health of kids is also ridiculous - did it dawn on you that many dog owners are also PARENTS???
Third, remember that park improvements are paid for in part by tax dollars from DOG OWNERS!!!!! All we're asking for in return is a short window of time each day during which our "kids" have a short, unleashed run each day. A random, tiny, unfenced/unsafe patch of land like the proposed Tremont/Lynn Fells postage stamp is not adequate or safe.
Finally, Madeleine, I think I know exactly who you are, and if I do, let me tell our neighbors a little about your behavior. The first morning you decided to "visit" our morning group in the park, you came screaming off your back porch onto the field with an F-Bomb laced tirade. One of our owners brought her 9-year old son that morning - unfortunately he had to listen to your profanity. Your post claimed you have been "attacked and jumped on numerous times" by dogs with no apologies from their owners. I'm not sure who you're talking about, but I can say with 100% confidence that no one in our dog group would allow such a thing, nor are any of the dogs in our group the least bit aggressive. You also said: "I moved to this house specifically for the park, because I wanted to have picnics, lay in the sun, go jogging or for a nice stroll. I can not do ANY of these things in the park, because of the rude, inconsiderate, law-breaking dog owners." Hmmm. The last time we saw you on your porch in the morning, you flipped us all the bird. So who exactly is rude and inconsiderate? And no reasonable person believes that a handful of dogs having a 30 minute morning run around while supervised by responsible owners is keeping you from picnics, jogging or the like.
Folks - the parks are shared space, used and paid for by all of us. Let's find a way to work together to find a solution.
John, congrats on breaking the law by allowing your dog/"child" to run in a public park off leash. You should be fined $50.00 for the 1st offence, $50.00 for your 2nd offence, and $150.00 for your 3rd offence. That is the law, and everytime you break it, you should be fined. Why the Melrose police dont ticket you or your irresponsible dog owner friends baffles me.
Secondly, humans littering and dogs running freely throughout the parks of Melrose are COMPLETELY different things. Let's not try to confuse things here. Humans litter and that is absolutely disgusting. Shame on them. Irresponsible dog owners who do not clean up after their pets are also disgusting. People who break city laws should be fined until they stop breaking the laws.
First, has anyone seen an update on whether this proposal is moving forward on Sunday? I have sent two emails to the animal control person without response.
Second, in response to John, although I think its all been said before, it bears repeating that:
1. Waste from children such as "Dorito bags, orange peels, empty styrofoam or plastic beverage containers" is not dangerous as dog waste can be, and although I agree that its disgusting that people don't pick up after themselves, its not as disgusting as dog waste.
2. Someone earlier addressed, no doubt more eloquently than I will, the reason why the argument that since tax dollars pay for parks we must allow dogs to use them off leash does not make sense. Anyone who owns a home in Melrose benefits from city expenditures (like in parks and schools) that make our community more attractive to others. When our parks and schools improve, our property values improve, so tax payers get a direct benefit from such expenditures regardless of whether they themselves use the parks or schools. Although I have not seen any research on the subject, I'd be hard pressed to believe that either investment in facilities for dogs such as a dog park or allowing dogs to run off-leash during certain hours would have a similar positive affect on property values. Indeed, I for one would be less likely to buy property in a town in which I feared that my children would have to compete with dogs for resources.
I personally do not golf, and so do not derive much benefit from the City-funded Mount Hood Golf Course. But I recognize that having a public golf course is an amenity that may attract people to our town, and therefore increase our property values thereby benefitting me directly. It would not occur to me to suggest that, since I do not play golf, and since I do pay taxes, that Mount Hood should be required to deviate from its current function to accomodate some other function that would directly benefit me. Likewise, I am not elderly, and therefore do not benefit from the services the City provides to elders. But I wouldn't suggest that they stop doing that so that I can enjoy different services. The point is that the City provides many services, and its unreasonable to suggest that every taxpayer should benefit from every one of them.
3. I agree with your suggestion that the discourse on this issue should be more civil. I don't necessarily think that's accomplished by calling out individuals for their bad behavior, but I understand your frustration. But surely, you can also understand the frustration of neighbors of the park where you congregate with your blatant disregard of the law. I also understand that many dog owners regard their dogs as their children. But I continue to be puzzled at why so many of you seem to feel entitled to flaunt the law. I applaud your desire to change the law to gain your desired goal, but I frankly think it would have been much more effective (and much less concerning to those of us who oppose the change) if you had sought to change the law prior to repeatedly breaking it. Its just difficult to believe that people who openly, and even proudly admit to breaking the law can be trusted to operate under any rules.
4. Finally, with regard to your comment that many of the comments on this forum are anonymous, I note that the original post did request that posters indentify themselves. As an initial matter, I was unable to figure out how to name myself at the beginning of the post, so, as with my prior post, I will sign my name at the end of this. I also recognize that some may not wish to identify themselves, and can respect that. Finally, given your criticism of anonymous postings, I'm surprised that you did not identify yourself. You certainly provided details in your post that would identify you to people who know you, but you didn't sign your posted as I expected you would since you were critical of others anonymity.
Colleen Murphy, 100 Larchmont Road
10.30.09 Update from Diane Kurkjian - Animal Control Officer. Please see her post at:
http://www.melrosecaninecontrolofficer.blogspot.com/
The city solicitor has determined that the power to change the leash ordinance lies with the Board of Aldermen (the Parks Commission cannot make this change). At a future date, the BOA may vote whether or not to change the ordinance that requires dogs to be on leash in public.
As a resident (and 2 legged tax payer) of Melrose and parent of children who use those fields, I strongly oppose the use of any athletic field to be 'repurposed' for after hour dog parks. My son's soccer coach slipped and fell in dog poo. I see dogs on all of these fields each week, but I have NEVER seen the dog officer. Hesseltine Field is used by the Horace Mann Elementary School children for gym. It is unconscienable for the City to consider allowing any of these athletic facilities be used as a off hours dog park. It contradicts the ordinance. No other city allows such use! Perhaps this group of advocates should appeal to the Department of Conversation and Recreation to find a green space suitable for our four-legged friends - not own that is used by children! I love dogs, but dogs are NOT tax payers. There are ordinances in place for a reason and the law is the law.
Reading through these comments, I can see why Melrose is still in the stone ages. If only the anti-dog protestors were as adamant about the roads being repaired...
Fact is you can go to several surrounding cities and let your dog of leash at designated parks at designated times. Why is this so hard for Melrose to overcome? Whether this goes into effect or not, dogs are still going to visit the parks and owners are still going to let them off leash. By designating times you create an opportunity that is easier to monitor. All of us responsible dog owners who pick up after our dogs will be there at these times, and I'm pretty sure I can speak for the other dog owners in saying that I'll make sure everyone visiting the park is respecting the rules.
Personally, I never let my dog off leash where she's not suppose to be. I have a fenced in yard for that, but dogs need socialization as much as they need exercise. Allowing off peak times where dogs can run and play makes for healthier dogs, which equals less barking, less biting, less bad behaviour...etc. It's nearly 2010 but you make it sound like it's prohibition in Melrose!!
John said:
"I am disappointed and in some cases disgusted at the attitude toward dogs and dog owners by many of you on this blog. ...
First of all, please don't categorize all dogs as aggressive, constantly pooping waste machines destroying the community."
Are you for real?? We're talking about the real and serious problem of IRRESPONSIBLE dog owners. If you don't fall into this category, then there's no need to get so defensive.
John said:
"Like hundreds of thousands of others, my hubsand Greg and I got our boy Flynn from American Lab Rescue. …Flynn is … the most gentle, sweet, loving creature you will ever meet. Kids love Flynn, and he loves them back. ...He does not deserve your irrational, random and frequently anonymous attacks."
Again, WHO is randomly and irrationally attacking your dog? Did anyone say "Keep John and Greg and their pesky dog Flynn off our parks"?? I don't think so. Give me a break. If you in fact are as responsible and conscientious as you say, then you have no cause for feeling offended. And, btw, just because your dog is gentle, sweet and loving doesn't make every dog so. Letting dogs off leash where there are children around is a bad idea. Kids get frightened, and often become a target for perhaps 'well-intentioned' dogs.
John said:
"Second, let's talk about picking up after our kids - human or canine. I ... join my fellow neighborhood dog owners for what we call "puppy party" 6:15-6:45am each weekday .... All of us pick up after our dogs EVERY TIME, and expect the same of all owners."
That's great that you pick up after your dog, and expect the same of all owners. But the fact still remains that there are plenty of dog owners out there who DO NOT pick it up. Unfortunately, these are the RUDE people who ruin it for everyone. Just because you "expect the same of all owners" does not make it happen.
John said:
"There is a litany of trash - Dorito bags, orange peels, empty styrofoam or plastic beverage containers - … Living across from the high school, we often find all sorts of trash alongside the sidewalk - left by dogs? No. Humans - kids, teenagers and yes, occasionally their parents."
I applaud you for picking up the trash that other inconsiderate people leave behind. But let's face it, there is a big difference between Dorito bags and dog poop. Kids stepping/falling into dog poop and tracking it into a school full of other children is a serious health concern.
John said:
"To make this whole discussion of needing to pick up after ourselves solely about dogs and dog owners is both inaccurate and ridiculous. EVERYONE in this town needs to pick up after themselves ..."
You're right. But the issue on this particular blog is the proposal of "off leash dog hours" NOT "Melrose's litter problem".
John said:
"To imply that dog owners don't care about the health of kids is also ridiculous - did it dawn on you that many dog owners are also PARENTS???"
Again, we're talking about the IRRESPONSIBLE dog owners. I would venture to guess that the owners with kids probably don't leave their dog's poop on the field where their child plays soccer.
John said:
"Third, remember that park improvements are paid for in part by tax dollars from DOG OWNERS!!!!! “
1. Get all your fellow dog owners to follow the law, and be considerate of their fellow humans.
2. Find an open space away from where kids congregate for school and organized sports.
3. Build your dog park with tax dollars.
"Finally, Madeleine, I think I know exactly who you are, and if I do, let me tell our neighbors a little about your behavior. ..."
Unfortunately, there are rude people everywhere.
John said:
"Folks - the parks are shared space, used and paid for by all of us. Let's find a way to work together to find a solution."
Yes. And let's be very careful not to put the health and safety of our children at risk for the sake of dogs' socializing
uhhhmmmmm, what on earth is a Green Dog???
I used to run my dog on a Melrose field and I'd pick up any dog dirt left by my animal and others that i found while walking the field.
I came to the realization that the fields where our children play were not generally intended for this purpose. I now walk the city streets where my dog (off leash) does his business and I pick up after him. We arrive at the field, he plays with friends for a few minutes and we head off.
I believe that there is a problem created by individual dog owners (you know you are) that take their animals to city playing fields & without regard for others, allow their animals to use the parks as a public toilet bowl. Your fortunate that I don't catch you promoting this behavior. Its absurd to think that Melrose would consider a dog park where City employees would need to pick up after your animal!
You'all should consider giving your pet up for adoption if you can't take care of them.
When I was a child, one of our family friends had a pool and they hung a sign that read " Please don't pee in our pool, we don't swim in your toilet." All I ask is that we walk our dogs around the neighborhood before comming to a park and pick up after our animals along the way.
If we can't collectively recognize that no one likes to step in or otherwise handle dog dirt then nothing more need be said on the topic.
Regarding dog pee, I've got to side with dog owners. The City over saturates its playing fields and the vast majority of dogs that I see peeing are directing the flow toward an exterior fence.
I also believe the city should commit to random testing in the spring, summer & fall for urine & pesticides. I've seen City fields being used by children<4 days after pesticide treatments are applied at times when I would not let my dog loose on the field.
We need to establish protocols for pesticide applications to protect all residents.
During the 03/2010 deluge of rain it was so nice to see the Melrose Towers apartment/condo complex was again flooded out.
Now I'm no engineer, but when I see water 8" deep in basement garages and then see water pumped out of sewer lines toward Franklin Field, I can't help but think that perhaps we all need to take notice!
Health issues arrising from human waste are a far greater concern than dog poop! I'm no scientist but I do believe there is no evidence that humans have contracted illness from contact with dog waste.
Human waste presents far greater risks. I think the community would well served to test the area of Franklin Field that boarder the fenced in trench full of cattails.
Sincerely,
A person who walks their dog around the neighborhood & picks up his dog's poop before walking thru Franklin Field
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