On Monday night the Board of Health reviewed a proposed off-leash dog park in an 11,000 sq ft triangle of Byram Park.
An existing stone wall along Ritch Ave would be part of the enclosure.
Joe Siciliano, director of Parks & Recreation, presented the proposal.
“Our ask is for you to approve the dogs to be off-lead in this location,” Siciliano said, adding that previously the Board of Selectmen had discussed the proposal on an informational basis.
He said if the Health Board approved the proposal, it would next go to the Parks & Rec board for endorsement, and then to Planning & Zoning commission for formal site plan and special permit approval.
Lastly, the RTM would be asked approve the $30,000 gift for the park, which matches the estimated $30,000 costs for setting up the park.
The Grass Island Dog Park has a view of the waste water treatment plant. Photo Leslie Yager
By way of background, Siciliano said the Grass Island dog park opened in 2005 and became the first park in Greenwich to allow off leash dogs. There is a set of rules posted there that would be duplicated for a possible dog park in Byram.
The portion of Byram Park proposed for the dog park is a walled area by the “Rosenwald” entrance to the park, a reference to the William Rosenwald estate, known as “The Anchorage.” Back in 1975, Byram Park was enlarged with the purchase of 10 acres from the Rosenwald estate, that included the family’s personal swimming pool which was was kept in service for town use until it was replaced with the current state-of-the-art pool.
In Byram the Rosenwald estate, “The Anchorage,” was purchased by the town of Greenwich in 1975 to expand Byram Park.
The Rosenwald entrance to the park is not a public entrance. Siciliano explained that the park caretaker has a residence in that area, and while it is not accessible to cars, it is possible to walk through there.
He said in addition to the existing stone walls which are about 5-1/2 ft high – adequate height for the purpose of a dog park – the town would need to install some fencing and create transitions.
He said the goal was for the front of the dog park to look the same as today with its small archway.
As for parking, he explained there are 8 spaces by the gatehouse which would be shared with tennis and pickleball players.
When that parking runs out, patrons of the dog park would use parking down closer to the beach and pool.
Health Board chair Joel Muhlbaum asked if patrons could cut through the park or be required to walk around to Ritch Ave.
“You don’t bring the dog through pool area,” Siciliano said.
There will be one handicapped parking space in the short driveway by the proposed dog park.
Assistant Parks & Rec Director Daniel Carlsen said a tree had fallen on one stone wall that will need repairs. In addition, he said some fencing would be required to maintain security and prevent people from sneaking into the beach or pool without proper park passes.
“We’re putting in additional security fencing, some sort of barricade so they can’t access beach or pool,” he said.
Mr. Muhlbaum asked about potable water for dog owners.
Siciliano said that with the steep rock outcropping it would be a challenge to create a permanent water installation like the one at Grass Island.
He added that there is a water source available from the pool area and they plan to run piping above ground, seasonally, to make it available to dog owners.
Health Board member Danielle Goodwin asked who would enforce the 10-dog maximum capacity in the dog park.
Mr. Siciliano said that at Grass Island there had never been someone present to enforce the rules.
“People get the gist of it….If you get there and there’s more dogs than you’re liking, you might say my dog won’t adapt very well, we might have to come back at a different time,” he said.
In response to a resident’s concern about “small dogs being trampled,” in the same area as large dogs, he said, “If you feel uncomfortable you will have to leave until you feel comfortable.”
He explained that this 11,000 sq ft area in Byram Park was not big enough to have separate spaces for small and large dogs, whereas Grass Island dog park with 15,000 sq ft does.
As for pet waste pick-up, Mr. Carlsen said it would be minimal and that if there were any issues, there are staff on site at the park daily.
A woman who identified herself as Janet, who attended with meeting with a service dog, said she was concerned about feces finding its way into Long Island Sound.
“With all the off leash dogs already in the park, you have the grade which is working toward Long Island Sound and you have people who do not pick up dog poop in this town,” she said.
Mr. Siciliano noted the proposed park would be 500 ft from Long Island Sound and the area is pitched toward the street, not toward Long Island Sound.
“We are also concerned about dog waste doing into Long Island Sound, but we expect people will pick up after their dogs. It would be criminal to add a place for dogs defecating,” he said. “We’re not promoting that at all.”
Mr. Camillo said there had been concerns about the Grass Island dog park before it was approved, including concerns about loose dogs in the neighborhood and property values, none of which came to bear.
He noted there were dog parks in many nearby towns.
Port Chester Dog Park is a frequent destination of Greenwich residents. It opened in 2015 and has a limit of 3 dogs per person. File Photo: Leslie Yager
In Port Chester the Abendroth Dog Park is an expansive off-leash dog park that opened in 2015. A private group raised funds for the project to the tune of $50,000 and the park rules are explicit and posted at the entrance. In Port Chester there is also a maximum of three dogs per person. File photo: 2017
It was noted Port Chester, NY has an expansive dog park, separated into areas for large and small dogs.
“What we know is people don’t travel for dog parks,” Camillo said.
“They travel for pickleball,” he joked. “But (the dog park) is really for the people who live there. I don’t bring my dogs to Grass Island. I bring them behind my house.”
A couple from Riverside said it was unfair they’d have to drive across town to use the dog park.
Mr. Camillo said he would be willing work with them to consider possible locations on the east side of town for a neighborhood dog park.
When residents mentioned there are already off leash dogs in existing parts of Byram Park, Mr. Muhlbaum pushed back.
“You shouldn’t be doing that. That’s illegal,” he said.
Health Board member Dr. Sarah Gamble was concerned about enforcement and that police wouldn’t be able to see the dog park from their cars.
Siciliano said there would be limited visibility from the road because the park is behind a stone wall, but there is a driveway a patrol car could pull into that affords a good view.
Also, he noted the park caretaker, Stacey Mortensen, lives a few hundred feet from the proposed dog park.
Health board member Dr. Katharine Meyers asked about safety.
“I’m all for dog parks all over town because dogs are great for mental health, but I don’t know how this works to protect the town,” she said.
She asked about requirements that dogs be licensed and up to date on shots, and what happens in the event of a dog bite.
Siciliano said the same rules would apply as in the Grass Island dog park that specify dogs must be licensed and up to date with shots.
Dr. Gamble asked about adding a “hold harmless” clause in the rules to protect the town.
“We’re talking about (people) suing the town,” she said.
“I think that would be something Joe (Siciliano) would refer to the town attorney’s office for an opinion,” Muhlbaum said.
During public comment, there were concerns about people from out of town or drivers getting off and on I95. Mr. Siciliano said that had not been the case at Grass Island dog park which is right off exit 3.
Mr. Camillo said there would be no signage about the dog park on the highway.
“Grass Island is open to everybody, but you seldom see non residents there,” Siciliano said. “Very few people use it. Do I see a New York plate there? Maybe.”
Byram resident Jeffrey Doty said he had four dogs and was concerned there would not be enough parking and that there could be a potential problem with fast moving traffic on Ritch Avenue, “if a dog gets jumpy or something.”
“I’m opposed to it completely,” Doty said.
Liz Eckert president of the Byram Neighborhood Association said there was a favorable response from a survey of members. But, she said, “Were still have some questions.”
“My personal fear is the location because it’s so easily accessible from both sides of I-95. Could you make it accessible only for people from Greenwich?”
Mr. Siciliano said that was not possible, but he did not think that would be a problem.
After discussion and Q&A, there was a motion to designate the areas as an off-leash dog park, which Mr. Muhlbaum noted was withing the health board’s statutory authority.
The vote was unanimously in support.
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