Selectmen Meeting To Feature Proposed Dog Park in Byram

This Tuesday, Nov 26 Board of Selectmen meeting agenda includes a first read of a proposed dog park along Ritch Ave within Byram Park. Presenting the proposal will be Director of Parks & Recreation, Joe Siciliano.

Today the town has just one dog park where dogs can run and play off-leash. It is located on a slope in Grass Island next to the water treatment plant.

Of course, starting December 1 (and through March 31), residents and non-residents alike can bring their dogs to Tod’s Point, but they are required to be on leash except below the high tide line.

Back in spring of 2023, First Selectman Fred Camillo was enthusiastic about a proposed dog park in Glenville, but it was not well received by neighbors.  The proposed location of the dog park was on a plateau behind the western Greenwich Civic Center, and residents objected, citing concerns about traffic and parking, especially on the narrow Hawthorne Street North. At the time Camillo proposed to name the dog park the Pet Pantry Community Dog Park to reflect a public-private partnership and offer of a $30,000 donation from that company.

The new proposed location is a grassy area within the park, along Ritch Ave.

The meeting materials indicate an estimated cost of $30,000, of which the largest portion is $10,000 being for fencing and gates.

The meeting materials also mention “gift acceptance” will be part of the process.

Pedestrian access would be via an entrance off Ritch Ave.

As for parking, other than one ADA compliant space along Ritch Ave, there will be no on-street parking.

Parking would be in the existing 8 spaces by the park gatehouse which is used by the gatekeeper and both tennis and pickleball players. According to the proposal, if these 8 spaces are filled, patrons will use Byram Park’s parking lot and walk around to the dog park.

Proposed dog park rules would limit each person to two dogs per visit and no more than 10 in total at any one time in the dog park.

Also, no puppies under four months of age, no dogs in heat, no smoking/vaping, and no food (human or pet).

Hours are proposed to be from sunrise to sunset.

Also all dogs will be required to wear valid dog license tags, ID tags and have up to date vaccinations.

Owner swill be responsible to pick up and dispose of their dog’s waste and be responsible for the actions of their pets.

Dogs that show signs of aggression will be required to be leashed and immediately removed from the dog park.

Owners must remain in the fenced area with their dog while the dog is off leash and owners should always carry a leash while their dog is off leash in the dog park.

Children 10 and under not permitted and children 10-15 must be closely supervised.

Dogs who bark excessively “shall” be removed from the dog park to be respectful of surrounding neighbors.

According to the meeting materials the approval process starts with introduction of the proposed scope by the Selectmen, followed by a review from the Board of Health regarding off-leash access, water connection and waste removal plans. From there it will require MI review from the Planning & Zoning commission and a site plan that includes proposed parking plan.

From there, there is the question of gift acceptance  from Selectmen, and finally, both the MI and gift acceptance need approval from the RTM.

The agenda for the Nov 26 meeting, which starts at 10:00am, is here (dog park item starts on page 1025) and the agenda includes the Zoom link.

The Byram Neighborhood Association invites Byram residents to email feedback to [email protected] so the BNA has a sense of what the community sentiment is.

Residents can also sign up to speak or submit written comments to the Selectmen via this town form.

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