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Selectmen support dog park proposal

Date: 10/25/2010

Oct. 25, 2010

By Chris Maza

Reminder Assistant Editor

EAST LONGMEADOW -- The Board of Selectmen voiced their support for an initiative to put a dog park in town at its Oct. 19 meeting, but will not release any public funds for the project.

Selectman James Driscoll said he was impressed with Jeff Rondeau's idea for the park.

"[Rondeau] is very motivated and he has a great plan," said. "We took a straw poll and we are supportive of his plan and are willing to help him form a committee to raise funds privately."

Rondeau said he and his wife, Debbie, are currently looking for all parties interested in taking part in the development of such a park, which would offer a leash-free environment for dogs and their owners to socialize.

"We want to create a committee and subcommittees under that to take care of all aspects of running a dog park properly," Rondeau said.

According to a Facebook page dedicated to the initiative, the closest fenced-in dog parks are in Connecticut and local unfenced dog parks do not allow the animals to run freely.

"Every dog needs exercise every day and a lot of people don't have the space to give that to them because they either don't have a yard or the right sized yard," Rondeau explained. "Dogs also have the basic need to be social and people have the need to see people with similar interests."

The Rondeaus' proposed dog park would be a fenced-in, off-leash park that would include separate areas for large and small dogs.

Rondeau does not curently have a site in mind for the park and went to the Selectmen, hoping they could provide help.

Driscoll said that while the town would not be able to offer public money for the project, it may be able to help with land.

"We would support it that way if the land was appropriate and available," Driscoll said. "But we are not going to commit town funds to the project."

Rondeau stressed that whatever site is chosen for the park, it will be "an appropriate site where it won't bother anyone." He also said that one false impression of dog parks is that waste is a serious issue.

"People who go to dog parks are all good dog owners. It is all very self-policing and people are aware of cleaning up after their own dogs. New dog owners can learn how to take care of their dogs properly from other owners," Rondeau said. "There will be zero waste problems."

Those interested in the dog park can call the Rondeaus at 525-727 or elbarkpark@yahoo.com.



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