Citizen journalist covers dog park meeting
Preoccupied with life's developments, which range from leaving the paper to getting the hole in my ceiling fixed, I asked one of our loyal readers to serve as a citizen journalist last night, and pass on to us what transpired at the city's meeting on the future of dog parks.
We won't identify our reporter here -- suffice to say she is the mom of Bimini and a fairly regular vistor to the city's ONLY dog park, Canton Dog Park.
Full Disclosure: While our budget is limited, our reporter was promised payment in the form of a beer, or maybe we said two.
Here is her report:
OK, here goes..mind u I'm typing on my phone and had a glass of wine w/ dinner, so bear with me.
Patterson Park was represented by both the dog park group and the general friends of patterson park group. locust point was also represented, as was canton dog park. both potential dog park groups, particularly patterson park, expressed frustrations with the city. They just want a list of requirements and no additions once those requirements are met. makes sense. and the councilpeople agreed.
issues of liability, maintenance, and volunteers were brought up. there was also the mention of off-leash times, rather than fenced in areas.
Jim Kraft stated numerous times that there needs to be a city-wide set of guidelines/application for dog parks, not just on a case by case basis.
everyone attending the meeting, including the new director of rec & parks, seemed on board with getting more dog parks in the city. we'll see what happens.
Comments
You're leaving the paper?
Posted by: Eve | July 17, 2008 10:20 AM
There are guidelines set forth by the city. They were handed out last nite:
http://www.ci.baltimore.md.us/government/recnparks/images/DogParkApplic.pdf
They just need to be made more reasonabe and not so cumbersome!
5 or so years ago I attended a similar meeting. There were city lawyers there at the meeting and they were asked about liability. The lawyers responded. To put it simply, a dog bite in a fenced in dog park is like being bitten by a dog on leash. They also recommended creating dog parks. Here is their memo: http://pattersondogpark.org/documents/CityLawyersComments0001.pdf
Councilman Reisinger expressed citizen frustration just like a Coucil member did 5 years ago:
http://pattersondogpark.org/documents/CouncilPersonMemo0001.pdf
When can I get off this ride?
Posted by: Mike | July 17, 2008 3:27 PM
Yes, what does the first line mean (and not the part requiring fiberglass patching tape and compound and paint)?
Does someone need to tell the Tribune Company how important companion animals are to many Americans? How responsible pet owners (and that would be most "Mutts" readers) are the people most likely to get out in the world, take part in civic life, and, yes, read the newspaper, whether online or printed on paper? How "Mutts" manages to touch on most things in life and draw intelligent, witty comments from readers?
Posted by: Mary Schmidt | July 17, 2008 10:30 PM
Eve, Yes.
Mike, Thanks for the info.
Mary, Actually, I just stapled a big piece of plastic on the affected area, so varmints, wet goo and whatever else lurks above the ceiling wouldn't fall on my head. Yes, I'm one of the close to 50 taking the newspaper's buyout offer. No word yet on whether the Sun will continue the Mutts Blog, but I will let you know. I suspect a Mutts Blog of some sort to live on. As for your other questions, in my opinion, yes, yes and yes.
Posted by: john woestendiek | July 18, 2008 10:38 AM
John,
I hope you start up your on blog. I've really enjoyed reading this.
Good luck.
Mike
Posted by: Mike A | July 18, 2008 12:31 PM
I second Mike A's hope for starting your own blog. Mutts has been a joy to read with a wealth of information all presented with a wickedly funny sense of humor. You will be missed here.
Posted by: bob | July 18, 2008 1:34 PM
Not that many writers are able to be both hilarious and compassionate. This "Mutts" reader will miss your writing very much.
I get the feeling you'll end up doing some other interesting project in the near future, and I look forward to stumbling across that project in cyberspace or in my local bookstore, John Woestendiek.
Posted by: Mary Schmidt | July 18, 2008 9:41 PM