Comments on: Off-leash dog park moves forward

By: Connie Wong

Connie Wong — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:59:44 +0000

Linda, I so agree with you. I too have been avoiding taking my dog to Lake Boren Park except early morning hours the last month. I have been driving to Robinswood almost daily even when I have no errands taking me to Bellevue. I understand that any long term improvement will take time. I hope that the city can have some temporary actions like having off leash hours or putting up signs to allow off-leash dogs in a certain area. It is sad that we live a block away from this beautiful park but can’t really enjoy it.

If the city can spend lot of money on Coal Creek Parkway ribbon cutting ceremony or ugly new signage residents complained about, the city might want to consider spending it on something the residents can really benefit from.

By: Linda Sholand

Linda Sholand — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 16:38:12 +0000

I have “joint custody” of my two granddogs as they live with my son and his family but I take them for walks or hikes almost every Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Maggie and Sara are labs and Lake Boren Park (LBP) has always been our park to go to until this “on-leash / off-leash” problem. I enjoy the park because it’s clean, friendly and has water access for my granddogs. If you have a lab, you want to have water access!

When I go to the park I watch ahead of me and if someone comes towards with their dog on a leash, I put mine on leash or take them to another section of the park, if I notice someone looking nervous, I put my two on leash and if I notice anyone playing in or near the water where I take my dogs to throw their balls, I turn around and take them home. Like all responsible, courteous and respectful dog owners, I ALWAYS clean up after my dogs. I’m aware there are people who are afraid of dogs or who just don’t like dogs and I respect their feelings but I haven’t been to the park since I heard about the complaints of dogs being off-leash and people possibly being ticketed and I really miss it!!

I’ve always thought that parks were for everyone to use and enjoy. Other than just saying all dogs have to be on-leash, there has to be another solution. It seems to me that the easiest solution is to put up signage at the north end of the park stating that dogs are allowed off-leash in that area. I honestly don’t see what the issue would be with that solution. If people don’t like dogs or are afraid of them, they would know to stay on the upper path, away from any off-leash dogs. If Newcastle has enough money to spend on signs that you can hardly read, then surely it has money to put up a few signs on the north end of LBP which would allow everyone to use and enjoy LBP, one of the city’s gems.

By: Donny McNair

Donny McNair — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 04:41:34 +0000

It is so wonderful to have a place that is close to home that we humans and dogs all love.
Let’s have our community park be for everyone!
Humans, kids and dog!

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 19:43:53 +0000

I thing an off leash park at Lake Boren is a great idea. The Northend of the park is hardly used by anyone, except people with dogs.
I see quite a few people in newcastle with dogs who are are responsible dog owners and would like a place to let their dogs run and play. I personally would like to used Lake Boren that is in walking distance, than driving to another area.
Thank you for seriously consider an OFF LEASH AREA.

By: Brooke Hughes

Brooke Hughes — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 17:49:45 +0000

The vast majority of owners who allow their dogs to be off-leash have well-trained, socialized dogs. If someone has a dog that causes damage or hurts someone, then that owner should be penalized but it doesn’t seem right to penalized everyone. Having an off-leash area would be nice, but only if it is a decent size. So many of these areas tend to be small and not grassy, and do not provide to same sort of room to play fetch and walk with the owner. Also I do think its nice for the water dogs to have access to the lake. It makes sense to keep dogs out of the play area for children, but it seems that so many of the people who enjoy the park, are doing so with their dogs, and responsible dog owners should be allowed to enjoy the park as long as they are not bothering others.

By: Chris Ross

Chris Ross — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 05:52:31 +0000

Thank you city council .. I’m especially a fan of the idea put forth by one council member, that perhaps the north loop of the park could be relegated as off-leash. For the most part children are at the other end, where the playground is. We walk throughout the whole park but it’s not that big of a deal to leash the pup when in that section if it’s determined the rule needs to stay. (I still have my fingers crossed we’ll progress beyond that archaic rule, lol).

By: Craig Proctor

Craig Proctor — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 00:06:09 +0000

I’ve been taking Bo to LBP almost daily for the past four years since I adopted him. We like the May Creek Trail, but LBP has introduced us both to many new friends. Spending time there is where he gets out the majority of his energy and where we do the majority of our socializing. Most of the dog owners we know are conscientious, keep watch and control of their dog(s) and pick up after them. Some of us keep watch on the other dogs also when there are times the owner is distracted.

$25,000 is probably not a lot of money for the proposed off-leash changes to the park; but Medina did it for far less without changing the look of the park.

After years of doing nothing about off-leash dogs at LBP and then suddenly deciding to enforce and fine, I would like to see Newcastle postpone the leash enforcement at LBP while the off-leash area is being addressed.

By: Connie Wong

Connie Wong — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 22:48:13 +0000

Thank you, Jim, for doing such an amazing job leading the Off-Leash Area Proposal. I understand that this is not going to happen over night. I do hope that it will move along smoothly.

Meanwhile, I strongly suggest the City Council to consider offering at least Off-Leash Hours immediately. How about before 9am and after 7pm? Our four-legged friends really need to have the exercises and social activities. With them, they are angels! Without them, they can be devils!

By: Carolyn Agacinski

Carolyn Agacinski — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 21:41:31 +0000

I sincerely appreciate the quick approach on finding a ideal solution for our four-legged friends and their human companions at Lake Boren Park by the Newcastle City Council. Thank you to everyone who is working in such a positive manner for something that matters to so many of us.

By: Jim Palzer - Newcastle

Jim Palzer - Newcastle — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 21:21:09 +0000

Lake Boren Park’s proposed off-leash dog area makes sense.

* It’s central to city core, population center and multi-family zones.
* It’s “walk to” friendly which means less automobiles on the road.
* It’s a community gathering place for Newcastle residents with a common interest.
* It allows park visitors to lawfully allow their dogs off-leash.
* It reduces vehicle trips to other off-leash parks on the Eastside.
* It does not interfere with the “Lake Boren Park Master Plan”
* It’s an amenity that will to add to park versatility.
* It offers shared open space for Newcastle residents with small or no yards.
* It’s within an existing ADA accessible route.
* Off-leash play promotes better social skills for dogs, a community benefit.
* Dogs think they are people and want a place for un-encumbered play dates.

If you would like to be on our e-mail list for future updates related to the potential dog park, please e-mail your first and last name, phone number and e-mail address to jimpalzer@yahoo.com

Also, think about joining “Dog Lovers in Newcastle” on facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=122210081123610