Comments on: West Park Possible Location for New Dog Park

By: anna ercoli schnitzer

anna ercoli schnitzer — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 09:17:43 +0000

I enthusiastically second Donna’s comments about the improvements made in West Park. Whereas some years ago, it was a scary, ill-used place that one hesitated to venture into; nowadays it is a very pleasant destination frequented by nature lovers, dog walkers, garden growers, and just plain folks walking through on their way to work. The renovations to the park have attracted people and, as always, people make all the difference.

By: Donna Estabrook

Donna Estabrook — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 23:14:48 +0000

I want to take this opportunity to say how much I appreciate the renovations done to West Park in the last couple of years. Despite the problems with the centrifuges (I think that’s what they are called) at the west end of the park, the improvements speak for themselves. Considerably more people use the park. Last summer there was always someone on the boardwalk over the pond looking at the duck families and trying to spy the elusive muskrats of which there were at least four. The Project Grow gardens were full of luscious vegetables and beautiful flowers. People used the paved paths for biking, jogging and walking. Various groups performed in the band shell, now bracketed by water gardens where cat tails and other water-loving plants grow. I saw more birds than previously, probably attracted by vegetation other than just mown grass. When there was no baseball game there was Frisbee instead. And yes, the urban view from the park toward the city is really lovely. I live a couple of blocks north of West Park and usually walk through it on my way downtown. Thanks, Parks and Recreation staff for creating the conditions for West Park’s renaissance.

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 21:48:28 +0000

I commented elsewhere that I was afraid this would be too small and would create a visual impediment to the enjoyment of West Park's lovely visual sweeps. I did a little browsing and found that the Olmsted Brothers were involved in its acquisition and design. I didn't work hard enough to determine that it was actually Frederick Law Olmsted (the designer of Central Park in New York) but the effect is similar. I was pleased to see that the work near Seventh Street appears to be substantially complete. I'm hoping that West Park can finally come into its own as the jewel of the near-downtown area that it has been said to be. A fenced enclosure on one end does not seem like a good addition to that vision. Here is a map [link] of the Central Area parks. As you see, we don't have many. I don't know of any of these that would really satisfy the apparent desire for a dog park within walking distance of the downtown.

By: Barbara Brown

Barbara Brown — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 18:04:56 +0000

A dog park within West Park would be great for people who walk their dogs in town. The other two dog parks are accessible, for most of us, only by car. It doesn’t have to be large, Olson park is only 1 acre and works perfectly.

By: George Hammond

George Hammond — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 19:51:24 +0000

The city (Olson Park) and city/county (Swift Run Dog Park) dog parks both have fenced areas for the dogs, with double gates to make it harder for off leash dogs to get out on their own. There are also benches, and trash cans so that dog owners can pick up after their dogs.

By: Mary Morgan

Mary Morgan — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 22:52:37 +0000

Re. “Is it fenced off…?” Yes, the plan would be to fence any area that’s designated as a dog park. Because the proposed area is smaller than the other two dog parks, the parks staff has said it’s financially feasible to fence.

By: Donna Estabrook

Donna Estabrook — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:05:51 +0000

What makes an area of a park a “dog park”? Is it fenced off so that the running-free dogs stay within the dog park? I don’t have a dog so I have not been following this issue but I do know that there is a playground in West Park that is close to the suggested dog park area. Small children typically play there. I would hope that dogs would be kept from that playground.

By: Peter Baker

Peter Baker — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 20:46:32 +0000

A dog park in West Park would be amazing. I’d vote yes twice if I could.

By: Alan Goldsmith

Alan Goldsmith — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 16:45:21 +0000

“Telling them that she was speaking as a citizen, not a commissioner…”. Beautiful. Now we can look forward to other committee walking ten feet to a different microphone and lobbying on political and tax issues? If she’s going to be a lobbyist she should perhaps resign from her official position. No wonder the Mayor’s clique wanted her on Council.