Dog Park

The Shelton Weekly had an Aug11 article, the Huntington Herald had an Aug27 article and the Connecticut Post had a Jul22 article on the subject of a "dog park" in Shelton. The latter two articles are not available online for referencing (sadly, but that is another subject). Here are my thoughts on the matter.

First, it should be mentioned that all City of Shelton Open Space is open to dogs. This includes open fields and meadows (except those that are leased to farmers for agricultural crops), over 15miles of hiking trails, public spaces such as sports fields, and the riverwalk and veterans memorial park (slab) downtown. You can be a resident, visitor or employee in Shelton and access any of these locations freely for your enjoyment as there is no fee or license required (sports fields "use" may at times be managed and thus restricted). In addition to any state laws, there are some basic local requirements for your animals.

• They must have a Dog License from the City. You can find out more regarding this via the Town Clerk's page of the City of Shelton website.
• Ordinance #799 from 2006/Aug/10, aka "Open Space Ordinance", item 16 states dogs must be leashed at all times while within the City Open Space areas.
• Ordinance #716 from 1997/Oct/9, aka "Pooper Scooper Ordinance", renders responsibility for removal of animals defications or face fine for violations.

Note: This free and open access is contrast to neighboring towns. Derby had a 6month dog ban on their Riverwalk, and Trumbull requires a license/permit for access and prohibits non-residents.

Second, awareness should be given as to the time-line on the current subject.

• Over the years of reviewing development applications, the Conservation Commission has heard residents request consideration for open space to walk their dogs. Notably on 2005/Aug/3, 2006/Dec/6. The concept of a "bark park" was discussed during preparation of the Open Space Plan, but only to the extent that such a possible use may be considered on City Open Space along with other uses such as farming, passive recreation activities, community gardens, etc. This was discussed over a year ago informally, and is noted in the draft of the City of Shelton Open Space Plan.
• On 2008/Jul/16, the Mayor met with two children (Adam and Alexis) who asked the Mayor to consider helping them gain permission to create a dog park in town (their dog's name is Bryce). They had already spoken to the "Dog Warden" (their reference, but Sheryl Taylor is actually the City of Shelton's Animal Control Officer) who thought it was a great idea. Specifically they referenced the Riverwalk area in downtown as desirable, but gave no reasoning for that.

On 2008/Jul/17, John Papa as Chairman of the Parks & Recreation Commission, and myself as Chairman of the Conservation Commission, received a memo from the Mayor's secretary asking that we "put together a committee to look into the feasibility of this request for a dog park in Shelton."

The subject has not been dismissed, but charter revision, little league championships, RecPath project logistics and simply our lives of vocation have been more pressing and delayed us giving our attention to the matter. Contrary to press reports, nothing has transpired since that date other than a brief and informal conversation between myself and John with the outcome that John would request that the Park & Rec staff research what other communities have offered (as example: Trumbull, Ridgefield, Norwich and Hamden have such off-leash and fenced boundary facilities).

There have been letters to the editor accounts from Alderman Jack Finn stating that the recently purchased property on Soundview Avenue would be a suitable location as it is "centrally located". Given that the parcel is currently and was purchased in part to continue it's use as agricultural property (corn, apples, grazing) that recomendation would require stronger evaluation. The Huntington Herald had a news article quoting John Papa as saying he didn't think downtown was suitable, and quoting Alderman John Anglace questioning the public demand for such an amenity.

Before any knee-jerk reactions cause poorly thought out decisions, there should be some evaluation of:

• public need - are they aware that all open space is available to them, is that satisfactory
• requirements - what size or kind of space, is water, fencing or other facilities needed
• operations impact - what is the cost
• location impact - would dogs congregating to bark be in harmony with quiet enjoyment of a residential area, does a location intended to serve public need geographic consideration.

This is what the Mayor is requesting: a feasability study - no more, no less. The three public officials quoted so far must run for political office, so commenting and trying to remain appealing to the public is attractive and tempting, even seductive and addictive. However, commenting before researching is unproductive.

Recreation Path - BOA appropriate funds

At the Thursday August 14th Regular Meeting of the Board of Aldermen, the final fiscal component was approved for the Phase 1 construction project to move forward. Contract preparation and execution is last hurdle before site work begins. The BOA appproval can be found on page 18 of their ThuAug14 BOA minutes.

Recreation Path - PZC released Trust Account funds

At the TueAug5 mtg of the Planninc & Zoning Commission, after a presentation from myself and co-chair Bill Dyer, and review by City Counsel of the trust fund documents, they voted to release the Huntington Woods Trust Fund (apx. $60k + $9k interest accrued). The balance of the LOCIP project should now come from allocation via the Board of Alderman. The Board of Alderman's next regular meeting is ThuAug14.

Today's CtPost had an update on our progress. I cut/paste here only for a record of the press documenting our activity, as the link's to the paper are not retained over time.
http://www.connpost.com/valley/ci_10133473

KATE RAMUNNI
Article Last Updated: 08/07/2008 11:32:57 PM EDT

SHELTON — Conservation officials are one step closer to their goal of upgrading the popular Shelton Lakes Recreation Path, buoyed by this week's Planning and Zoning Commission decision that directs money from the Huntington Woods Trust Fund to go toward the project.
The P&Z unanimously agreed to let the Conservation Commission tap into the almost $70,000 fund to make improvements to the path that connects downtown to Huntington Center. The upgrades will make the path easier to use, especially for those on bicycles and in wheelchairs, and mothers with baby strollers.
But the approval comes with an important caveat, Zoning Administrator Rick Schultz said.
"Now they have to show proof they can get the additional funding," he said, referring to the remaining portion of the $150,000 project price tag.
To that end, Conservation Commission members will meet today with Mayor Mark A. Lauretti to discuss the possibility of using Local Capital Improvement Program (LoCIP) funds for the work, the panel's chairman, Tom Harbinson, said.
"I meet with the mayor regarding the balance on Friday morning to work out the LoCIP logistics," Harbinson said.
Members of the Conservation Commission and its Trails Committee have worked for years to make the recreation path a reality. The 4.3-mile trail stretches from the Shelton High School and Shelton Intermediate School campus to Huntington Center. The area of the path by the schools is made of gravel and asphalt, while other sectionsare less developed.
The first phase of the project, which will cost about $153,000, will put a new surface on the path from Pine Lake to the intersection of Constitution Boulevard and Shelton Avenue.
Harbinson said he had approached Lauretti about getting the LoCIP funds and Lauretti suggested trying to get permission from the Planning and Zoning Commission to use the trust fund money for part of the project.
Developer Monty Blakeman established the fund about eight years ago when he built the Huntington Woods subdivision. The money was earmarked for improvements "in and around" Huntington Woods, but Corporation Counsel Tom Welch determined that the wording of the fund's description allowed for a use such as the recreation path.

Recreation Path - community effort

An article in the CtPost of Aug4 illustrates the volunteer efforts and community enthusiasm for the RecPath. It is of particular note, and in advance of the PZC decision on Aug5 to release funds toward the cause, that the area in the vicinity of HuntWoods shows significant involvement.

Sometimes the CtPost links go stale, so I offer the text for future reference:
http://www.connpost.com/localnews/ci_10088628

KATE RAMUNNI
SHELTON — An initiative by the Conservation Commission's Trails Committee to extend the city's Recreation Path through Lane Street is becoming a true community effort.
Committee members Terry Gallagher and Bill Dyer were surprised recently when their appearance before the Inland Wetlands Commission resulted in an offer from one commission member to help with the project.

Organizations such as the Girl Scouts have already put sweat equity into the project by cleaning up the targeted area.

Dyer told the wetlands commission that their goal is to make the 8-foot-wide gravel path accessible to both the handicapped and bicyclists. There are wetlands, including the Mean Brook, in that area, which is why the Trails Committee members appeared before the commission.

Two years ago, the Trails Committee and the Shelton Land Trust constructed a boardwalk there, Gallagher said, and the goal now is to extend that by about 8 feet. His daughter's Girl Scout troop spent time there pulling garbage out of the brook, Gallagher said.

Landscape architect James Swift also donated his time and talent to the project, Dyer said, as did surveyor Tracy Lewis.

The land where the trail will be extended is owned by the city and the land trust, he said.
Lane Street is one of the city's designated scenic roads and is lined with sugar maples, Gallagher said, and the work will take that into account and cause as little disruption as possible.
Wetlands commissioner Randy Szkola, who is a contractor, said he would be willing to lend his equipment and time to the project to help move boulders that need to be repositioned near the path.

"That was nice. We went there with our plans and came out with an offer of help," Conservation Commission Chairman Tom Harbinson said.

The Recreation Path has grown over the years and now spans from downtown to Huntington Center. The work is part of a larger project to widen the trail and make it more accessible.
"We want to make it accessible to bicycles and baby carriages," Dyer said.

Dyer and Harbinson recently went before the Planning and Zoning Commission to request using the Huntington Woods Trust Fund to pay for a portion of the $150,000 cost of the first phase. Developer Monty Blakeman established the $60,000 fund eight years ago when he built the Huntington Woods subdivision to be used for improvements in and around that area.

No decision has been made yet as to whether the funds will be allocated for the project.