Safety in Our Parks

Twelve years ago, South Portland residents were asked to share our public parks with off-leash dogs.  Being the community that we are, the answer was a resounding “Yes”.  There was a promise of voice control, sight control, education for dog owners, and ambassadors to help enforce the rules. 

Our town has grown into a city with larger populations of both humans and dogs. Promises have not been kept, and now we have shared our public spaces to the point that many members of our community no longer have safe and enjoyable times in our parks, including our only public beach. In fact, many residents avoid these places.

Over three hundred off-leash dogs per day on Willard Beach deny SAFE access to children, older residents, folks who are afraid of being knocked down, families who would like to have a picnic, and reactive dogs, to name a few. This scenario replays in many of our public spaces, including Bug Light Park and Hinckley Park.  What used to be a privilege became an entitlement and a perceived right to overtake the parks, including the spaces where dogs are supposed to be leashed. 

I know it will be stated that I am anti-dog.  I am not.  Actually, I am pro-dog, pro-community, and pro-leash, supplemented by a dog park so that our public spaces are truly public.