Dismayed. After reading the news article chronicling the council meeting on the 18th, I am dismayed at the stance of members. It is with great sorrow that I did not become involved in this committee, mostly, as I stated to several backers of this committee I wanted to see how far it went after the public fact-finding meeting by BGSU students. What happened to the money we were told would be available for this project?
The comments only confirm my biggest concern, especially those of Enrique Gomezdelcampo. His “let them eat cake” pronouncement was not surprising. I expected someone would take that stance, it only fueled my fear. When the City Attorney Hunter Brown ‘explained that the three-year lease with the non-profit organization will require the group to adequately fence the site, pay for installation of utilities, mow the grass and clean up dog poop that owners have not picked up.’ I thought I was losing my mind. How is this possible, when the city already maintains the space? What more is required? Except maybe cutting grass more than once a month. Who is doing this now in the City park system? Ridiculous! I’m surprised the fact finding mission the BGSU students did would lead to this outcome.
A dog friendly community fully understands what it takes to be pleasant and inviting. Cities in the south, Lexington, KY, Charlotte, NC, Augusta, GA, Savannah, GA, Leesburg, FL. have the kind of inviting spirit knowing the owners of dogs pay taxes too and account for a growing number of residents. For these cities and others, it isn’t as hard as you are making it!
Last fall I spent over an hour talking to a city park manager in the middle of City Park about the priorities of the city council and the park service, noting that a canopy for seating at the ballpark and a sculpture, both new additions to City Park, were higher priority than a dog park. Not that I am against either addition, but it makes me wonder if attendance and usage of both additions will be a larger percentage of city dwellers than a dog park. As for maintenance of the property, the City employee and I discussed the deteriorating maintenance of City Park. He said the cleanliness, leaf and limb pickup and grass cutting efforts are hampered by a limited budget. I made suggestions to him to seek volunteers. In addition, the City Park dog refuse bags are not stocked before running out (especially the last month). Who is picking up dog poop when the city isn’t offering bags? I had to use a Starbucks cup out of the garbage because I have an expectation of available bags.
I visit City Park twice a day with my dog, once in the morning and once in the early evening and have for most of the past twenty years. I see how people use the park. In the end, I will use the new dog park if it becomes reality, but I will also continue my routine at City Park. You can find me there if you want to discuss ideas.
Mark Ridgely
Bowling Green
…
