No Dog Park at the Clinton Town Beach

Here is a letter that I sent to the Clinton Park and Recreation Commission as well as a copy to the Board of Selectmen regarding a proposed dog park at the Clinton Town Beach.  This topic is scheduled to be discussed at the Board of Selectment meeting scheduled on Wednesday, March 12th at 7pm at Town Hall.  

March 4, 2014

Dear Mr. Joseph Schettino and Members of the Clinton Parks and Recreation Commission,

            I have been reading with great interest the proposal for a dog park at the Clinton Town Beach and must say that this proposal raises concerns for me.

            I spend my summer at the Clinton Beach and have done so for the past 38 years.  Over the past few summers, I have seen a renewed interest by the Town in keeping the beach and surrounding areas clean and updated.  There have been several improvements: new gate house, concession stand, shower tower, etc.  These improvements have been enjoyed tremendously, by both young and old alike.  The Park and Rec summer staff do an excellent job enforcing the posted beach rules while maintaining a safe environment for swimmers.  The Clinton Town Beach is beautiful with unobstructed views and open space – simple and quiet, exactly why I and others love it.    

Now to my concerns about the proposed dog park: 

 To consider requesting approximately $28K for a dog park when there are other beautification items that could be addressed at the beach troubles me.  I can easily think of several improvements that could be done with that money:

 Concentrate on building a beautiful, large observation patio that is proposed to take the place of rebuilding the gazebo. Build it out of pavers, include sitting walls, tables, benches.

Update the secondary bathroom building near the playground to actually include a “changing area” – although in the plans for the new concession building – it never materialized.

Install new barbeque grills (near the playground area and concession stand).

Install the “water feature” that has been cut from past budgets.

Look at the playground area.  Does the mesh fencing that helps keeps the sand in need to be replaced?  It’s looking tattered.

Install a few picnic tables w/umbrellas in front of the parking lot area for additional sitting and shade.  The current benches do not provide any shade. 

The size of the fenced in area – 200 ft x 300 ft.  Where would you put it?  My only visual could be just beyond the large enclosed pavilion.  Would I want to be paying to rent the pavilion (family function/wedding) and have people coming in with their dogs to “play and bark” where I’m hosting an event?

The noise factor, as you are promoting the usage for large dogs.  Do we really want to sit on the beach and listen to dogs barking?  Seagulls, waves, children playing ~YES, dogs barking ~ NO.

What about the safety factor?  There are so many young children at the beach; would a dog park create an additional safety risk for parents? Who’s to say a child doesn’t go up to the enclosure without a parent and gets hurt by a dog? 

Who is going to watch that dogs are not left in the enclosure while the owners decide to relax on the beach?

I’m a dog lover and owner of a large dog.  I have no problem with owners bringing their dogs on a leash, in the evening, during low tide and letting them run on the sand bar while being responsible for their clean up.  I do however, have a problem with spending an absurd amount of money on a dog park to be located at the Clinton Town Beach.  The $80,000 beach improvement funds should be spent on enhancing the enjoyment for Clinton residents and guests…not for dogs.

Sincerely,

Meg Wright