After last week's trio of notes by Matt, Liz & Mariane I wanted to dispel some of the misstatements and misperceptions they brought up. These are some of the answers to the issues they brought up in their letters.
These are the answers to the issues of a Dog Run as our working group saw them. Use them for what you will.
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Question: What are the benefits of a Dog Run in a nutshell?
Answer: A Dog Run will be attractive, give life to a part of the park not greatly utilized, it will solve much of the off-leash problem while creating a healthy and safe social environment for people (and dogs).
Question: Why have a Dog Run in Clark Park when there are runs at 48th & Chester and at the Schuylkill River?
Answer: First, there is no Dog Run in Spruce Hill. There is an obvious need if you look how dog usage of the park spiked after the closure of the run at 43rd and Spruce. Clark Park is convenient to members of Spruce Hill, Cedar Park and Garden Court. The corner of 44th & Chester (if it existed) is five blocks from a large part of UC (i.e. it si convenient). Second, the run at 48th & Chester is on private land and is not guaranteed to be available for any length of time in the future.
Question: Why have a Dog Run when there may be people who won't use it? Is there a guarantee that owners who want their dogs off-leash will use the Dog Run?
Answer: The current situation of unlawful off-leash dogs helps to create an atmosphere of lawlessness in the park. Our goal is to increase responsible dog recreation in the park. A Dog Run may increase the traffic of responsible dog owners in the park. It is hoped that responsible dog owners will use the space allocated to them. By creating a sanctioned off-leash area for dogs we believe that it will make it easier to enforce the enforce leash laws in the rest of the park. A Dog Run will promote good behavior in all parts of Clark Park.
Question: Will there be a fee for dog owners to use the Clark Park Dog Run?
Answer: No. However frequent users of the Dog Run will be encouraged to join both UC DOG and FOCP.
Question: Will a Dog Run ruin the ambience of the Park (ruining sufficient periods of silence for peaceful refreshment of our spirits)?
Answer: No. Clark Park is a heavily used urban park. The biggest problem with the dogs now using the bowl is that they come in contact with more people in their central location.
Question: Will the Dog Run be a noise nuisance?
Answer: The noise created by the Dog Run will be no worse than the current situation with the dogs in the bowl. The Dog Run at the proposed site will be bordered by HMS School, Chester Avenue and park land. The Dog Run will not extend to Baltimore Avenue, so neighboring houses will be buffered by park land and HMS School.
Question: Will the Dog Run increase smell?
Answer: The smell created by the Dog Run will be better than the current situation with the dogs in the bowl. The mulch will be changed on a regular basis to keep the smell under control.
Question: Will the Dog Run be concentrating a problem?
Answer: The ambience created by the Dog Run will be better than the current situation with the dogs in the bowl. The Dog Run will promote responsible and safe dog ownership.
Question: Why not increase enforcement of Leash Laws?
Answer: Currently, there is not support for greater enforcement through the FOCP. The PPD does not view enforcement of Leash Laws as a priority. There are also other quality of life crimes occurring in the park. As stated earlier, the current situation of unlawful off-leash dogs helps to create an atmosphere of lawlessness in the park. Our goal is to increase responsible dog recreation in the park.
Question: Will it impact the HMS School?
Answer: No. The Dog Run borders parking lots and a utility building.
Question: Will it impact the neighbors on Baltimore Avenue
Answer: The effects created by the Dog Run will be better than the current situation with the dogs in the bowl. Currently, the dogs in the bowl are closest to the house on 45th Street. The Dog Run will not extend to Baltimore Avenue, so neighboring houses will be buffered by park land. In addition, there are many people who let their dogs run loose in the North portion of the park already. A dog run will improve this situation as well.
Question: Will it impact flora? Does it create environmental problems?
Answer: The effects created by the Dog Run will be better than the current situation with the dogs in the bowl. Currently the off-leash dogs are uncontrolled. The Dog Run design is meant to mitigate the effects of the dogs, and to correct the current run-off problem caused by the HMS parking lots.
Question: Will it attract more problems by increasing usage?
Answer: The effects created by the Dog Run will be better than the current situation with the dogs in the bowl. There may be an increase in usage of dog owners in the Dog Run. However, removing dogs from the bowl is a benefit that far outweighs increased dog usage. Increased usage of the park benefits the FOCP.
Question: Will it increase foot traffic and congestion at 44th and Baltimore?
Answer: The intersection of 44th and Baltimore is already unsafe, however there should be no increase foot traffic and congestion. There are already many owners walking their dogs around and through the park. No one says to not have farmers' markets at 43rd and Baltimore because of increased foot traffic and congestion. In the case of the farmers' markets, the FOCP is actually installing Belgian block to mitigate negative effects. A Dog Run would also mitigate negative effects of dogs in the park.
Question: Does the Dog Run take away from other uses at the Park? Is the Park too small to support a Dog Run? Does it eliminate Green Space?
Answer: No, the Dog Run benefits other uses at the park. Currently, the dogs are a threat to children at the tot lot, they pollute the bowl and make other uses problematic. The Dog Run opens up the rest of the park. In addition, part of the design concept includes redoing the deteriorating sidewalks in Park A.
Question: Does a Dog Run destroy the utility and ambience of the North Park.
Answer: No. The north portion of the Park is big enough to house a Dog Run and still have other uses like the May Fair.
Question: How is the Dog Run better for dogs than using the Bowl.
Answer: Responsible ownership includes exercise. The Dog Run will have two separate areas for small and large dogs. The fence will prevent dogs from running loose in the park - this protects them and others from harm. A safe and clean place to exercise..
Question: Does a Dog Run create more trash?
Answer: The effects created by the Dog Run will be better than the current situation with the dogs in the bowl. Currently, those dog owners that do pick up after their dogs place the refuse in any of the trash baskets surrounding the bowl. The Dog Run will have sealed cans with lids to contain the waste problem. The FOCP and UC DOG will gave to work to make sure that these cans are frequently changed.
Question: Is building a Dog Run expensive?
Answer: The initial cost of building a Dog Run is relatively inexpensive. Labor to install the fencing is probably the greatest cost. Once the idea is approved, the FOCP and UC Dog can fund raise to defray the cost.
Question: Is building a Dog Run taking an area from the general public and devoting it to a specific group or function?
Answer: No, currently the bowl is being as a de facto Dog Run. The Dog Run restores the ambience and utility of the Bowl.
Question: Is the Dog Run too small? Is it worth the effort?
Answer: The Dog Run is approximately the same size as the Schuylkill River Park.
Question: Kids like playing with the dogs, will this hinder that?
Answer: People without dogs will be able to inside the Dog Run.
Question: If the City provides Dog Runs, why involve the Friends of Clark Park?
Answer: The plan for a dog run calls for working with the City. However, since FOCP is the stakeholder that works to maintain and beautify the park, it makes sense to get its approval of the idea before approaching the City. The process of implementing the idea for a Dog Run is not a new one, as it was part of the Master plan discussions several years ago. Working through the FOCP allows for public discussion and comment on this worthy idea.
