Throughout the last decade, animals have been the source of neighborhood debates throughout Edgewater. From battles over goats back in 2015 to struggles over dogs inside businesses, residents have been debating how is the best way for individuals to exercise their own perceived rights and how those rights impact those around them.
These debates become heated when it comes to dog owners and open spaces around town like Citizen’s Park. Two years ago, the City of Edgewater created a temporary dog park at Citizen’s Park. Community members gave feedback and ultimately the temporary dog park was removed. The City of Edgewater is planning a dog park at Walker-Branch Park as part of the planned redesign of that space.
Now there are notices around Citizen’s Park reminding community members that all pets must be on a leash at Citizen’s Park and other open spaces around Edgewater. Yet any visitor to Citizen’s Park can see that many dog owners are not following these leashing rules and are still using Citizen’s Park as a dog park.
What are your thoughts on unleashed dogs at Citizen’s Park? How can the City of Edgewater enforce these guidelines? What are the impacts of having unleashed dogs at Citizen’s Park so near Edgewater Elementary School?
Joel has been a resident of Edgewater, Colorado with his family since 2012. He is the Executive Director of local education nonprofit Edgewater Collective and Editor of the Edgewater Echo.
I say all dogs must be on a leash,if not,fine them.
I agree with Don. Fines need to be given. Some people think their dog is under control and deserves the right to run free. However, living very near Citizen’s Park I have witnessed numerous times when dogs rushed us as we walked our leashed dog, causing tense situations. The owner will then come running and calling out “I’m sorry.” It just isn’t safe or fair. Where is the regard for the children? During recess, there is always someone who has their dog running free in the park.
Leash the damn dogs and pick up their shit. We need to ban dogs in edgewater completely and their owners. Not sure why people have dogs if they don’t clean up after them and train them.
I’ve been charged at and pinned by dogs off leash at Citizens Park too many times. I just don’t go to the park anymore.
There will never be another Gretchen but the city needs to find someone to fill her shoes. She was always patrolling to make sure that the city ordnances were being followed. She kept order with all dog owners in the park. The city needs to recognize that they need someone to patrol all Edgewater parks and have the ability to issue fines for the people that do not follow the rules.
first, fine anyone not picking up their dogs poop, a fenced in dog park would be fine for off leash activites, but to many people think they have control of their dog and off they go out of control, there is a police station right next to walker branch park now, so it would be extremly helpful if they walked the park once or twice a day, and started handing out warnings and tickets, way to many people there letting dogs run free and not picking up after them