R-DOG About Dog Parks

Links to other dog park sites

www.dogpark.com
www.freeplay.org
www.thedogpark.com
www.dog-play.com
www.fidos.org
www.dogomania.com
www.urbanhound.com

or just use your browser to search for "dog park"

About Dog Parks

What is a dog park?
A dog park, or off-leash dog exercise area, is a fenced piece of land designated for the use of residents who wish to exercise their dogs safely and allow them to socialize with other dogs. It offers disposal facilities for dog waste, and may provide amenities such as benches, shade, and water.

Why do we need dog parks in Hamden?
Until recently, Hamden's parks have been used primarily as athletic fields. We need to find ways to offer more activities in our parks to serve more residents of different interests and age groups. Creating dog parks helps to fulfill this goal. Hamden should install off-leash exercise areas (dog parks) because its park ordinance forbids dogs in parks unless the park has a designated pet area (Sect. 95.11 of the town code). However, no such areas have until now been designated. This means that Hamden's residents have had no local public space to exercise with their dogs, and have been limited to walking them on neighborhood sidewalks, which is particularly difficult and even dangerous in winter due to snow and ice.

Have other communities installed dog parks?
As population increases, additional demands on public open space as well as conflicting interests have resulted in the edging out of certain activities such as dog walking. As a solution to this problem, many municipalities locally and across the country have installed dog parks. Hamden R-DOG has gathered extensive documentation about these parks. The common experience is that after the first park is installed, use by dog owners is so intense and enthusiastic that, to meet popular demand, more parks are created soon afterward.

How widespread is dog ownership?
According to statistics published by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook, just under one-third of America's households include one or more dogs. A community of Hamden's size is estimated to be home to at least 7000 dogs.

Why should dog owners be considered?
Pet ownership is a positive aspect of our society. Many studies have shown the benefits of pet ownership to the mental and physical health of people of all ages. Taking a dog into a social situation provides a means for social interaction between people that otherwise may not be possible - it is easy to start up conversations when a pet is present and many friendships begin in this way. For many elderly people, an outing with their dog may provide the only contact with other people in their day. For people with mobility problems, a dog park allows exercising of their dog without walking any distance. For most dog owners, the opportunity to meet other dog lovers is a happy and rewarding experience, just as it is for their dogs to meet other dogs. Dog owners are taxpayers. It is unfair to ban them from public parks paid for by their taxes only because they wish to be accompanied by their dogs.

Why do dogs need exercise and socialization?
Dogs are social animals. Families and single people own them because they provide affection and companionship - indeed, many people without children in their homes view their dogs as their children. Dogs need exercise. They need to run and play with their owners to work off energy and satisfy their need for challenge and stimulation. In addition, they are by nature pack animals, and should not be isolated from other dogs.

It is a reality that in our society many dogs must be left alone for long hours while their owners go to work. Dogs that are deprived of exercise, stimulation, and socialization may become problems for their owners, their neighbors, and for other dogs because they are bored and because good behavior is learned through interaction with people and other animals. Badly behaved dogs may bark incessantly, dig holes, destroy property, escape constantly, and become overly timid or aggressive and generally difficult to handle. Extreme cases result in animals being given up to the Humane Society or other shelters where, if they are not fortunate enough to find another home, they will usually be euthanized due to lack of space and resources. In order to learn good behavior, dogs need to be brought out of isolation into social situations, but such situations are increasingly few and far between in today's world.

Where will these parks be located?
Our organization is working with the Department of Parks and Recreation to plan sites for dog parks in unused areas of our town parks. So far, a dog park has been created on a wooded site at Bassett Park on Waite Street. In the future, we envision additional parks in central Hamden and at Brooksvale Park near the Cheshire town line. Having a number of neighborhood parks will ensure that no one area will be overused and will make it more likely that residents without cars can walk to a local park.

How will the parks be maintained?
At the Hamden Dog Park at Bassett, the staff of the Parks and Recreation Department empty trashcans regularly. Dogipot bag dispensers and shovels are provided, rules have been posted, and dog owners are expected to pick up after their pets. The park has a group of neighbors/users who monitor the park, help to keep it clean and tidy, and report any problems.

Won't dogs fight if they run free together?
Since dogs are pack animals, they usually get along well together on neutral territory. Occasionally a dog shows aggressive behavior, but park rules prohibit aggressive dogs and such a dog must be removed immediately. Liability for damage caused by a dog rests with the owner, whether on a street, in a home, or on municipal property. Very few problems have been noted in established parks.

Improving the quality of life in our town

Hamden R-DOG is a committee of Hamden Community Playground, Inc.