Quoted from Libertarian4life

The Central park dog park works fine. Dogs run very fast chasing tennis balls there and skid and slide with no problem.

Perhaps you should have actually went to a dog park and talked with some experienced people.

The Central park dog park works fine, without your social engineering.

Too bad bankrupt Schenectady manages to have a dog park but Rotterdam doesn't thanks to you.

Failure isn't an accomplishment, goatboy.

Goatboy of course knows nothing about dogs.   Goatboy doesn't have a wife, goatboy doesn't have a child, goatboy doesn't have a dog, doubtful goatboy has any pet.  Goatboy is not even an independent adult.

The Central Park dog park is nice because of the informality. It just needs some improvement, not a complete government takeover. Requiring licenses,
most people have their dog licensed anyway, I think it's just a tool to discourage your moronic slob element from going in there, if they think that there
is a chance they may get ticketed. It's something that could be enforced on an as needed basis.

I do see cops drive through the park, in fact, I saw a cop drive past me just as I was leaving the park the day I saw the dog try to rip another dog's earoff, but I was too late to catch them. Normally, I avoid the park like the plague in the warmer months, but when I have been there I've seen incidents that wouldn't have happened if there was somebody there in charge, such as a senior citizen walking his dog, being harrassed by a mob of foul-mouthed middle schoolers. Back when we had zero crime in Schenectady, we had park attendants. Now, when we have a sizeable criminal population, we are on our own. Go figure.

Being as the dog park is ALREADY THERE, let's hope too many "experts" don't try to get involved. I think the woman in the article sounds quite capable. Any remarks I have made are just what I hope are seen as helpful suggestions by someone who is very supportive of her idea.

Quoted from Madam X

The Central Park dog park is nice because of the informality. It just needs some improvement, not a complete government takeover. Requiring licenses,
most people have their dog licensed anyway, I think it's just a tool to discourage your moronic slob element from going in there, if they think that there
is a chance they may get ticketed. It's something that could be enforced on an as needed basis.

I do see cops drive through the park, in fact, I saw a cop drive past me just as I was leaving the park the day I saw the dog try to rip another dog's earoff, but I was too late to catch them. Normally, I avoid the park like the plague in the warmer months, but when I have been there I've seen incidents that wouldn't have happened if there was somebody there in charge, such as a senior citizen walking his dog, being harrassed by a mob of foul-mouthed middle schoolers. Back when we had zero crime in Schenectady, we had park attendants. Now, when we have a sizeable criminal population, we are on our own. Go figure.

Being as the dog park is ALREADY THERE, let's hope too many "experts" don't try to get involved. I think the woman in the article sounds quite capable. Any remarks I have made are just what I hope are seen as helpful suggestions by someone who is very supportive of her idea.

I grew up in Bellevue and Hillhurst park always had an attendant, plus volunteers that helped out. The
attendants weren't trying to police the park, but they did kick out troublemakers from time to time.

But hey, I understand,  you can't pay park attendants and have gold ceilings and corporate welfare too.

Quoted from Madam X

I do see cops drive through the park, in fact, I saw a cop drive past me just as I was leaving the
park the day I saw the dog try to rip another dog's ear off, but I was too late to catch them.

I think the police are frequently in Central Park for the same reason as everyone else, to spend a
little time away from other parts of the city that often make you feel like you are in a war zone.
Honestly, there are places in the city that people won't go to, because the neighborhoods are too
bad. Imagine having to be in all the worst spots every day as your job. It probably is a relief for
the police to have a place to go, where kids are playing, people are out walking, or walking their
dogs, instead of the places where people are running from crack houses to heroin shops, stealing,
robbing people, fighting with each other over whatever they can find to finance their needs.

I know that the lady in the article (?Ruscuitto?) has great intentions however,  I made the suggestion of just moving the fence
to a better suited area because I think that it is more feasible. I don't know how much it would cost to move that fence to a
better area but it certainly wouldn't be 100k. Or, keep the same area, get rid of the asphalt and replace with grass or mulch and add a double gate system. But I feel  that park is too small for the number of dogs that go. If it's going to be done, let's get it
done right. Maybe corporate sponsorship by Petsmart/PetLodge/Checkerhill Farm would be a possibility in defraying some of the cost. Just brainstorming.

Also, Madam x, I'm with you on not getting the gov't involved and having things be informal but as I said, some people need to be told how to behave. If there were posted rules, that gives animal control and the court a way to prosecute/ban undesirable
people and dogs. The number one reason I don't use the park any longer is because of said individuals. It's just not worth the
aggravation of dealing with idiots even though they may be in the minority. Sanitary conditions are another reason why I don't
go anymore.

IMO, rules are needed to ensure a more pleasant experience for all. You can't enforce rules that don't exist.

BTW-whatever happened to the idea the city had a few years back about a dog park at Steinmetz?  It seems to  me that that
idea ought to be resurrected. There is more land available there. I know you people who live near Central Park would probably
be opposed but it would probably be better for the dogs because the park could be larger and if it's better for the dogs, well, the
park IS for them after all.

I would love the idea of a dog park at Steinmetz, I'd have to drive to either place but I believe it could be very nice. They are
looking to improve that park anyway.

Can we keep this thread on topic? Thanks!  

Quoted Text

I think the police are frequently in Central Park for the same reason as everyone else, to spend a
little time away from other parts of the city that often make you feel like you are in a war zone.
Honestly, there are places in the city that people won't go to, because the neighborhoods are too
bad. Imagine having to be in all the worst spots every day as your job. It probably is a relief for
the police to have a place to go, where kids are playing, people are out walking, or walking their
dogs, instead of the places where people are running from crack houses to heroin shops, stealing,
robbing people, fighting with each other over whatever they can find to finance their needs.

Imagine having to LIVE in the worst spot everyday.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

It is rather asinine to have a paved dog park.  There is absolutely no logical or humane reason for doing such a thing.  It would make as much sense as building slides and swings for children over broken glass.

There is a right way and wrong way to build a dog park.  That is why when the issue came up in Rotterdam -- I did the research but when there was no will to actually spend the money to build it and maintain it reasonably and properly -- I preferred to not build it at all.

having a dog park is asinine.......

Quoted from senders

having a dog park is asinine.......

Agreed. Their feet can't even reach the pedals.

Quoted from Libertarian4life

The Central park dog park works fine. Dogs run very fast chasing tennis balls there and skid and slide with no problem.

Perhaps you should have actually went to a dog park and talked with some experienced people.

The Central park dog park works fine, without your social engineering.

Too bad bankrupt Schenectady manages to have a dog park but Rotterdam doesn't thanks to you.

Failure isn't an accomplishment, goatboy.

Actually, I did visit several dog parks -- here in New York and in other states -- and I did speak with people who were involved in designing and maintaining them.

Paving a dog park is simply put a bad idea -- it is asinine -- pavement gets hot and that can actually hurt the dogs.  Grass is better but not the best idea -- there are some dog parks that utilize a special kind of mulch which makes it easier to keep the area clean.

Rotterdam doesn't have a dog park because while there was some public support for it -- it never was large enough to get the Town Board's attention -- and, quite honestly, the Town Board (during the past 4 years) was more preoccupied with other issues rather than the making improvements to our town's park system.

As for your need to resort to name calling and nastiness -- I just consider the source.  You are obviously not intelligent enough to carry on an adult conversation and quite honestly I couldn't be bothered with people like you.   Furthermore, I will never apologize for taking the position that if we (as a town) are going to do something -- it is worth doing it RIGHT .. not throw it together cheaply or slap it together without researching it and thinking it through.   Apparently, you seem to be of the school of thought that thinks it is ok to waste taxpayer money and just do a half-assed job of any implementing a new idea or doing a project/improvement.  Fortunately, I do not subscribed to that school of thought -- and am satisfied that under my watch taxpayer money was not wasted.  In fact, the Parks & Recreation Commission under my leadership didn't cost the taxpayers a penny and actually RAISED money for the parks.  Many people appreciated our efforts - others, did not and that is their problem and their loss.

Rotterdam isn't a city....walk your dog in the neighborhood....no dog park needed

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

under my watch taxpayer money was not wasted.

Allegedly such a good job that he can't get a job in the public or private sector.   Long term unemployed

Dog parks a great opportunity for dogs and dog owners to socialize.  If designed and built properly provide opportunities for large dogs to run and dogs of all sizes to have places to be exercised.  Furthermore, a park system with a good dog park could then prohibit dogs from other parks which would reduce liability concerns.  

The problem with Rotterdam parks is that they are designed almost exclusively for use by youth sports leagues and tiny children (swings and playground equipment) -- there is absolutely nothing in our park system for adults and people with interests beyond youth league sports.  Our parks are inadequate when it comes to handicap accessibility and offer nothing for the majority of our town's population which is the over 50's crowd.  Rotterdam's park system provides little to enhance our residents quality of life -- while neighboring towns like Guilderland, Niskayuna, Glenville, Colonie and Clifton Park offer a multifaceted Parks and Recreation system that is evidence of good comprehensive planning, sound use of hard-earned taxpayer dollars and provides something that their residents can be proud of.

Unfortunately, the last time that we have any public officials interested in developing a general-use park and developing a master plan for our entire park system was back when Mr. Tommasone was our supervisor.

Is Lent over yet? I thought we had until Sunday?

Quoted from TakingItBack

How much of the donated money does the City expect as a cut?.....you know they do deserve some of it.

Another only in Schenectady story. Highest taxes in Upstate NY and the DEM morons can't maintain anything because they are giving millions to nonprofits who refuse to pay any PILOTS. When is Fat Morris
finally paying his Fair Share Pilot? Does he still have two illegal STAR exemptions on his property?

   Rose Garden needs separate funding. Dog Park needs separate funding. Warning to all dog owners keep your dogs away from Pit Bull Run. Maybe if the DEMS didn't flush millions on Erie {have you seen the new
lights-lol} they would have money to maintain parks. Mayor Lund must be rolling in his grave. He was one socialist who understood the need for parks not for greasing contributors palms. Would not fit in with
today's socialists.

I don't understand how rose gardens and dog parks are important enough to be addressed when there are other issues in the city that should take priority....just sayin...

that would be the day that i would dole out 'more money' to pay for something my 'highest taxes in the state' should be paying for already!!!

Take that money and all your spare time and donate it and support candidates that you want to replace the dimwits that are the reason for the mess the city is in!!!

imho