[UC] (no subject)

[Lillja]

Aside from the issue of unleashed dogs in Clark Park, I'm concerned about the serious impact they are having on the condition of the bowl.

They have stripped it of much of its grass and turned it literally into a dust bowl, which in turn becomes a mud bowl when wet. I've heard from several people offline that they are concerned for the children trying to play soccer on hardpack or mud and just in general that the bowl is being trashed by overuse of dogs.

I think there needs to be some serious discussion by all of us and the FoCP in particular as to this situation.

Do we create a small fenced-in dog park?
Do we have volunteers enforce specific dog rules and usage, agreed upon by all, for the bowl?
Do we ban dogs from the bowl?
What is the bowl's primary purpose? Is it for people or dogs?
Should dog owners pay for the upkeep of the bowl, like bathers at the Jersey Shore?

Think about it. The park is for everyone, but if a single constituency is spoiling it for others, then something should be done to rectify the situation.

Jim Lilly