Fourshee said the discussion comes in part due to complaints from
abutting landowners about dogs coming onto private property and the
abundance of waste not properly disposed of.
In addition, Fourshee said the MRPA has been investigating the idea of
creating a "leashless dog area" or dog park at the town-owned property
near the Kingsbury bridge.
"Obviously we can't just disallow dogs," she said.
The town-owned parcel was selected in part, according to Fourshee,
because the liability would be assumed by the town on their Vermont
League of Cities and Towns insurance.
Select Board chair Andy Cunningham asked, "What does a dog park look like?"
Fourshee said that the park would look like whatever the town wanted it
look like; typically, she said, they are fenced-in areas with posted
signage detailing the rules of the park including proper dog waste
disposal.
Select board member Matt Groom asked how the potential park would be funded.
"There could be grants. There a lot of enthusiastic dog people in The Valley that are willing to fund-raise," she said.
Select board member Kirsten Reilly said, "Riverside is a nice place to go with everybody, including dogs."
Cunningham questioned the appeal of a dog park: "I don't know if I'd
ever be caught dead in a dog park. There's still got to be a reason to
go there and I don't get it overall."
Conservation Commission member Margot Wade said they are just "looking
for some guidance" from the select board as they refocus on updating the
Riverside Park management plan.
Reilly suggested putting a questionnaire that addressing dog-related issues in the ballot on Town Meeting day.
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