EDITOR’S NOTE: The following letters comment on new restrictions governing use of the Smith Farm Fields on the grounds of the former Northampton State Hospital.
I am deeply concerned about the decision by the Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School Board of Trustees to require that dogs be leashed at all times at the Smith Farm Fields. As a teacher at a vocational school (Franklin County Tech), I’m a strong supporter of vocational education and love that students have this resource.
I’m also a runner and dog owner. My dogs and I run at the fields most days, even through winter. It’s vital to maintaining my health and the health of my dogs. Having an off-leash (unofficial) dog park is a huge part of what makes Northampton a great place to live.
Standing at the “beach” by the river, I’ve built community with people because we bond over our dogs chasing each other and splashing in the river. It’s also a great place to run. I clocked my fastest 10k pace one beautiful afternoon when the park was filled with people and their dogs. I’ve never had any issue with other dogs while running.
If my dogs were on leashes, they wouldn’t be able to run and neither would I.
I would have to choose between running alone and walking my dogs. I understand that there are times when it could be better to have dogs on leashes, but it makes no sense for there to be a ban on off-leash dog walking. My dogs and I aren’t interfering with anyone’s use of the land at 5:30 a.m. when we are the only ones there. As for concerns about mess, many dog owners have become more vigilant, taking their own time and money to place bags and a trash can on the property.
Concerns were raised and dog owners responded appropriately. Requiring dogs to be on leashes would be detrimental to the health of our dogs and our community.
Randall Furash-Stewart
Florence
As in many things, Northampton is ahead of its time in having a public off-leash dog park, albeit not “official.” At least one person I know of has been walking her dogs in our unofficial “dog park” for over 50 years. Just as off-leash dog parks are taking front and center in park development nationwide, Northampton seems to be backtracking.
According to both The Trust for Public Lands and Public Radio Newswire, off-leash dog parks are the fastest growing type of park in America. Even the Municipal Research & Services Center provides planning and policy guides.
What’s up Northampton? Having an off-leash dog park is a wonderful amenity in our city, and used by many of us on a regular basis.
Cynthia Schaedig
Florence
In re: “Restraining Order,” Gazette, May 18: Isn’t it sad that a small group of people who understand so clearly the value of running for humans has managed to push through a policy that will deny that joy to dogs?
Fran Volkmann
Northampton
I was saddened to read of the proposed new rules requiring dogs to be leashed at the Smith Farm Fields. As a long-time resident of Northampton, that land has been a great place to bring a dog. The problem is, there are no other places, that I am aware of, where a dog can run freely in this city and its surrounding countryside.
The age of the leash-free dog is coming to an end, which isn’t really surprising or unexpected, given the age of “free range” children has already expired. Once upon a time, when the Smith Farm Fields or “dog park” was known more as the state hospital or “The Hill,” kids ranged through neighborhoods (horrifyingly, without adult supervision), left to their own imaginations and devices.
The sidekicks those children often had was a family dog. One would cut through neighborhood yards, along with Fido, to get to destinations unknown, or at least unknown since the previous day. Most of the time, neighbors didn’t mind too much, but the ones who did mind came running out to scold you, your friends, Fido and his friends, for trespassing. They were the neighbors whose property one frequently chose to route epic expeditions through.
The element of danger was just too enticing. Since there are no more free-ranging kids about, I suppose the off-leash dog must also face its extinction. My current Fido and I will just have to make do with unenthusiastically walking along our city’s “vibrant sidewalks,” where we will bravely face our loss of free-ranging freedoms together as we age.
Stephen Harding
Northampton
About 20 years ago, the parks commissioner in New York City realized that encouraging responsible off-leash dog walking in the city’s parks increased safety and encouraged stewardship in parks riddled with decay and violence.
In many parks in NYC, dogs are allowed to be off-leash from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m., and thereafter required to be on a leash or risk a fine.
It’s a shame that this same spirit of shared space (for the good of all) isn’t being shown in the Smith Vocational trustees’ recommendation to the state.
It seems like there’s a better way for all people (dog lovers and others) to coexist.
Shawn Selby
Hatfield
I wanted to add my two cents to the Gazette’s excellent coverage of the “dog park” issue. I have been following it for years, and was involved about 15 years ago in a forum about the land, representing community gardeners who were concerned about dogs running through the gardens.
Although there are few attacks that are reported, there are undoubtedly many that have gone unreported. I used to walk there a lot, and after being jumped on by muddy dogs (without much of an apology from the owners), and trying to skirt around piles of dog poop, I stopped walking there for many years.
However, I have been back a few times in the last two years, and the poop situation does seem to be much improved.
I am wondering why there is not a compromise of some sort being proposed — could there not be a large fenced-in area where dogs could run off-leash, while keeping a leash law for the trails?
Perhaps the city needs to step in here and provide more fenced-in dog parks like many cities have, so there are more options for dogs to be off-leash.
I totally understand Smith Vocational’s concerns about the lack of control over dog behavior and dog waste. At the same time I feel bad for all the dogs that really do benefit from time off-leash. I would say that there needs to be some more creative thinking and compromises suggested in order to address the issue.
Mimi Kaplan
Northampton
I have spent the last 20 years walking my dog at the “dog park,” almost every day. It is not only one of the great joys of the day for me and my loving four-legged companions. We leave the house early each day and while en route my dear friend cries all the way there! When we arrive he bounds onto the path like a rabbit at its height of glee. As he looks around to see if there are any friends (fellow furry beings), he enthusiastically greets (by waging his whole body back and forth) any humans who have also come to this heaven on earth.
For the next 30 or so minutes it takes us to walk the loop I observe his daily ritual. He runs up hills and dodges through the woods, tossing leaves in the air as he gallops full tilt ahead, always looking back to make sure I am coming. This is what Bodie loves most … his freedom to run. As we make our way through the path to the open field, he dashes ahead as I wonder, “what has he seen?” As I come into the clearing behind him, the sight of him stops me in my tracks. There is a light in his eyes and bounce in his step I see nowhere else.
As we descend a small hill he sees his first friend of the morning. He stops and lies down like a doormat with his head strategically between his paws. As this dog approaches he eagerly jumps up and greets them with a bound that says, “let’s play.” They prance and gently box until they are exhausted or have taken a dip in the river.
As we approach our car I notice his head is lower, his stride slower. When I suggest it’s time to get in, he sits and waits for me to beg. I am so incredibly disappointed and sad that this pleasure has been taken from our dogs. This is not success on any level.
Christine Adams
Northampton
In 2007, while at the “dog park” with my own dogs, I was hit and knocked over by a large, rambunctious dog. The direct blow from his head badly dislocated my kneecap, sending me to the ER. Next week, I will have arthroscopic knee surgery to fix some of the damage caused by that incident so many years ago. One would think, then, that I would be against unleashed dogs at Smith Farm Fields, but I am not.
First of all, I was there of my own volition, to walk my own dogs off-leash. I felt that anyone who walks at the park, knowing it’s full of dogs running full throttle, is there at his or her own risk. I did not report this incident — what would I have said? A young dog having fun accidentally ran into me? I was standing near the parking lot chatting with his owners, taking my chances. While I have experienced pain and mobility limitations as a result of the incident, I wouldn’t have sued the owners. I knew the dogs were swirling around us but wasn’t paying attention.
Secondly, the benefits of walking a dog off-leash accrue to both canine and human. Humans can walk much faster when not holding on a leash tethered to a stop-and-sniff dog. The “dog park” is thus a very important part of a daily health regimen. Those who dog walk in the area daily can attest to its benefits for physical and mental health. Many are seniors who have been walking there for decades and feel a strong sense of connection to the “dog park” experience, including socializing, quiet and being out in nature while also thoroughly exercising their pet.
While I no longer walk my remaining dog at the “dog park,” it seems rather draconian to abruptly shut down off-leash walking there. Older dogs are attached to their routines and will find it unsatisfactory to walk leashed where they previously trotted freely. The ruling will also put stress other dog walking areas in the city as dog owners look for alternative areas for off leash walking.
I propose, then, that the Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School trustees regroup to consider a modified plan which allows limited off-leash hours at specified, fixed times. For example, off-leash walking would be allowed from dawn to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to sunset on weekdays, with different hours on weekends. At all other times dogs must be leashed. This is how many beaches and public parks operate.
Julie Zuckman
Florence