Is Oshkosh goin' to the dogs?
Many communities throughout the United States allow dogs in their city or county parks, provided they’re leashed and, of course, their owners pick up after them. But Oshkosh has been slow to adopt a similar policy. Outgoing Mayor William Castle tested the waters for such a provision a few years ago, but it was met with lukewarm enthusiasm, to say the least.
Recognizing that times are a-changing and many dog owners like to walk with their canine companions, the Oshkosh Parks Advisory Board is considering whether to recommend allowing dogs in city parks.
The board recently surveyed 262 residents who live adjacent to the city’s five main parks – Menominee Park, South Park, Rainbow Park, Rusch/Sawyer Creek Park and the North High Conservancy Park to see how they felt, of which 81 people responded.
The survey asked such questions as: do you have a dog(s) as part of your family; do you walk your dog(s) on a daily or weekly basis; where do you walk your dog(s); if allowed, would you walk your dog(s) at any of the following parks’ walk/trails (parks then listed); why it would be a good idea to allow the walking of dogs in the above parks’ walk/trails; what would be the negatives of allowing dogs to be walked in the above parks’ walk/trails; do you support the idea of allowing dogs to be walked in the above parks’ walk/trails; additional comments.
Dog poop seemed to be one of the biggest concerns, according to this article in the Oshkosh Northwestern. I realize there are some people who do not pick up after their dogs, but I believe they are the exception rather than the rule. Most are responsible pet owners who would respect the privilege given to walk with their dog in the park and clean up any messes they made. One need look no further than the county park to see that. But it certainly couldn't - nor wouldn’t - be any worse than the goose poop park visitors have dealt with for years.
The Parks Advisory Board will vote on the matter at its March 12 meeting. It will then go on to the Common Council for its consideration.
The Parks Advisory Board meets in Room 404 of City Hall on the second Monday of the month at 6 p.m. The meetings are televised live on OCAT Channel 10 for those who cannot attend.
What do you think about this issue? Should dogs be allowed in the major city parks? Vote in our online poll.
Recognizing that times are a-changing and many dog owners like to walk with their canine companions, the Oshkosh Parks Advisory Board is considering whether to recommend allowing dogs in city parks.
The board recently surveyed 262 residents who live adjacent to the city’s five main parks – Menominee Park, South Park, Rainbow Park, Rusch/Sawyer Creek Park and the North High Conservancy Park to see how they felt, of which 81 people responded.
The survey asked such questions as: do you have a dog(s) as part of your family; do you walk your dog(s) on a daily or weekly basis; where do you walk your dog(s); if allowed, would you walk your dog(s) at any of the following parks’ walk/trails (parks then listed); why it would be a good idea to allow the walking of dogs in the above parks’ walk/trails; what would be the negatives of allowing dogs to be walked in the above parks’ walk/trails; do you support the idea of allowing dogs to be walked in the above parks’ walk/trails; additional comments.
Dog poop seemed to be one of the biggest concerns, according to this article in the Oshkosh Northwestern. I realize there are some people who do not pick up after their dogs, but I believe they are the exception rather than the rule. Most are responsible pet owners who would respect the privilege given to walk with their dog in the park and clean up any messes they made. One need look no further than the county park to see that. But it certainly couldn't - nor wouldn’t - be any worse than the goose poop park visitors have dealt with for years.
The Parks Advisory Board will vote on the matter at its March 12 meeting. It will then go on to the Common Council for its consideration.
The Parks Advisory Board meets in Room 404 of City Hall on the second Monday of the month at 6 p.m. The meetings are televised live on OCAT Channel 10 for those who cannot attend.
What do you think about this issue? Should dogs be allowed in the major city parks? Vote in our online poll.
posted by Cheryl Hentz at 10:44 PM
3 Comments:
I just dont understand y people cant take pets as part of the family??
It is because THEY ARE NOT HUMAN!!!
They are PETS! ANIMALS. Is that so hard to understand?
Animals tend toward FILTH! The shed and roll in their poop. They lick their nether parts then lick YOUR face. They harbor internal parasites.
I do not want them in the park. Guess how long it would be before some sweet owner avoided "picking up"?
Alert, do you find the goose poop in the park to be more to your liking? I certainly don't.
Each year hundreds of dog owners participate in the local humane society's Shelter Trek, which for the past few years has been held in Menominee Park. Owners have proven themselves to be very responsible during this event and I truly believe that if the ordinance were to change to allow leashed dogs in the parks, you're going to find few, if any, people who don't pick up after their dogs. If that were the case, the county dog park would not continue allowing people to self-police themselves nor would parks all over this country continue to allow dogs in them.
It is time for Oshkosh to get with the times and make this move.
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