Parks may be closed to dogs

Mary A. Castillo

The Recreation Committee resolved to recommend that the City

Council prohibit dogs from Village Green Park and possibly Lang Park.

“This is the same old problem we’ve had for years and years,” said

Gen McMenomy, president of the Pet Responsibility Committee Inc. “I’d

hate to see our animals restricted.”

These two parks were singled out by the committee at its Monday

night meeting because of reported dog feces left by negligent owners

and leashless dogs roaming around toddler play areas.

The committee voted unanimously to recommend closing Village Green

after construction is completed. Lang Park will remain open to dogs

until September 2003, when the committee will review greater

enforcement and educational measures.

The committee also recommended that the City Council investigate

developing land behind South Coast Medical Center as a dog and people

park.

Accompanied by her 12-year-old dog, named Mr. Flash, Verna

Rollinger spoke out against the ban.

“He has freedom as far as his leash will take him,” she said. “He

particularly likes Village Green Park.”

Rollinger said that Mr. Flash suffers from a disc problem in his

neck, which rules out the Bark Park on Laguna Canyon Road. They would

walk in their neighborhood, she said, but traffic and lack of

sidewalks sends them to local parks.

“We need to work together to make it work for everybody,”

Rollinger said. “Please don’t shut us out.”

Committee member JoAnn Moothart recalled times when she had to

pick up dog feces at local parks. She echoed the sentiment held among

the committee members that negligent dog owners pose a health threat

to the community’s children, who play in the grass and in the sand

lots.

“We’re not against dogs at all,” she said. “We’re just against the

mess.”

Chairwoman Thasa Zuziak felt that closing Village Green would

preserve the $200,000 investment in new play equipment and benches

scheduled to be installed this spring.

She proposed fencing off areas of the parks for dogs or opening

the parks after athletic events.

“I want to try and find a happy balance for dog owners and parents

with children,” she said. “It shouldn’t have to be a competition.”

The recommendation will go before the City Council this spring.