Danvers Dog Park

I was overjoyed when I saw your flyer. Danvers does need a dog park. We walk our dog several times a day and always pick up after him UNLESS it is impossible to do so (ie: diarrhea). We were anxious and willing to help in any way we could with a Danvers dog park until the last inside page. Who is Jean Marcotti? If you really want help, why are you quoting an article with such negative sources, one of whom has quite vague credentials? (I've owned animals, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, fish, hamsters, etc... all my life. Does that make me an "animal care specialist"? We are responsible dog lovers and would love to help. Meanwhile, Peter and Jean as well as a few others that we know of, need to realize: 1. Poop is NOT "Toxic Waste from Seabrook electric plant". It is nasty stuff but it won't bite you.
2. Many people DO pick up after their dogs. Not everyone walking their dogs needs to be frowned upon and scolded.
3. This is an all year round problem. This winter we found poop left on the plowed sidewalks and on the street.
4. The animal control officer used to patrol and pick up stray dogs. What ever happened to that old concept?
In summary, We would like to help. We'd love to distribute the flyer and talk with our neighborhood about the park. Please, however, leave Myrna Fearer's article in the Herald. It's far too negative and puts the park in a not so positive light.
Thank you.... IPUP

The reason we are putting the article from the herald in here is so that people will understand what we're up against. I agree its negative, but we are hoping that dog owners will be enraged by being called "dirty dog owners" as we were. This article is what mobilized and motivated us to work towards a dog park in Danvers. As to where it will be. Right now Town Council members have told us about a few pieces of land that the town owns but they are not using. One is a field that is next to Sandy Beach. Also there is land near Conner's Farm and behind the old Danvers State Hospital. Other people have suggested places as well. If anyone has any ideas about where to put a dog park, please share them with us. Thanks............

I too was surprised that Myrna had written such a negative article. Surprised because she owns (or did own) a dog.
Also, I really think that the fact that people walking their dogs and not picking up after them is a seperate issue to the town allowing a fenced in dog park. Those people who are not picking up after their dogs are irresponsible and will always be so.

I was stopped yesterday by a rude woman as I was walking my dogs, who asked me if I had my "pick up bag." I always pick up after my dogs, unless, as someone else mentioned, they have diarrhea. I would not like to step in dog mess, whether by someone's dog or my own, nor do I want my dogs sniffing other dog's feces and picking up who knows what.

I thought the woman's tone and attitude was quite rude. Those people that pick on dog walkers are probably the same people that don't shovel their sidewalks in the winter, or who have dogs that bark constantly (there are two on my street that constantly bark).

Don't assume that all residents with dogs are irresponsible owners.

I am so excited to hear about the Dog Park initiative! Danvers has needed a dog park for quite some time now. There is no sound reason to not have a dog park. What could be better for your dog than allowing her to run free in a contained, controlled environment with other dogs?

My experience with other dog parks include the following observations/comments:
There needs to be sufficient parking.
Some have been established with trees and some without. Those with trees tend to loose them due to the urine since almost all dogs mark such items. One solution is to build small "mots" around the base of the trees to keep the dogs from butting up to them. Another is to create some small sun huts so one can escape the sun or the rain if desired.
A source of available water is a huge plus.
Grass or field will eventually pass due to the inherent traffic inside the area. Typically transforming into dust or mud. This has been addressed by wood chips or shreaded rubber. Perhaps the town would view this as a benefit in disposing of some of its brush/tree residue.
Benches are a nice addition.
Fencing is probably the biggest expense. Perhaps we can approach some fence companies for any extraneous inventory and maybe even an associated tax donation. Or, free advertisement attached to the section of fence they donate. The size of the donation could be directly proportionate to the size of the advertisement.
Non-fence businesses might consider advertisement as well which could help fund the fencing.
All this takes time, and obviously funds, but should be considered going forward.

I always felt that the field at the beginning of Proctor Farm land use area would be a great location.

I think it would be wonderful for responsible dog owners to use a dog park in Danvers.but what about the worms...also what if dogs were not fixed how would that afect it...