More Dog Park Coverage
The Examiner just published an article on Dan Greenberg’s plight. I did not realize there are two laws on the books, one of which dates back to pre-Home Rule days. That law uses the criminal code to punish dog owners. I’m curious about the history of that law and why it wasn’t struck from the books along with many of the other ludicrous laws from that time.
DCist has a short piece covering the issue (and mentioning us).
Both offer readers opportunities to comment on the issue.
How about turning the open air drug market that is the park on Mass. Ave. NW between 5th and 6th Streets into a dog park? It would be a huge improvement. And the area’s dog owners are the only ones that use it besides the drug dealers. What is the process for moving forward with something like that?
Under the proposed (and likely to become law) rules, it probably couldn’t be one. I’m guessing it fails because (off the top of my head): it’s less than 200 feet from the homes on the other side of Eye; it lacks a water supply; it lacks sewer access. There are probably other reasons.
So we need to fight the rules, which seem designed to prevent dog parks rather than to establish reasonable guidelines for them.
To get a park in our neighborhood, we’re trying to rally our friends & get them to write and call their Council person & their ANC reps. Two members of our group got an appointment with our Council member (Bowser) and explained our needs, concerns and goals to her. It took a little while, but we may be seeing progress, since she’s posted announcements on two dog-oriented listservs asking about interest in a meeting about dog parks.
I hope that helps. It’s an uphill slog at this point, but it’s worth working for a reasonable solution. Some of the other folks who are working on this might have additional advice.
My specialty is goofy slogans. Perhaps, “Blue Heelers, Not Drug Dealers!” or “Chugs NOT Drugs!”