Dogs BANNED from NYS Parks!

[KingsParkNetwork]

Dogs BANNED from Nissequogue River State Park!

Recently the Nissequogue River State Park has installed several No Pets signs in the park prohibiting leashed dogs from the entire park. We are circulating a petition asking the Park Administration to change this policy. We currently have approx 800 signatures and have setup an online web site to collect additional signatures.

Please visit our website at Kings Park Network and sign this petition.

The New York State Parks and Historic Preservation Department recently banned all family dogs from the Nissequogue River State Park. Hundreds of dog-loving families, who previously used that park as a pet-friendly haven, are now unable to bring their faithful companions to this newly-created and yet mostly uninhabited state park which is on the grounds of the former Kings Park Psychiatric Center.

Our canine companions are members of the family. They give us all unconditional love, protection and friendship and ask for so little in return. Like so many of us humans, they need exercise to remain healthy and happy. The upper part of the Nissequogue River State Park is ideal for this cherished family activity because of the many wide, paved trails which enable the entire family to walk side-by-side, through this scenic wonderland virtually free from poison ivy and ticks.

Secondly, if you're a woman walking alone, your faithful dog provides some necessary and comforting security. Many of the trails wander through beautiful woodland areas which are not patrolled by park security on a regular basis.

Over 800 people have organized a petition drive and created a proposal to request that well-behaved, leashed dogs be permitted in designated areas of the Nissequogue River State Park providing that all pet owners clean-up after their dogs, limit activity to designated areas and use a leash no greater than six feet at all times.

Responsible pet owners respectfully urge the Nissequogue River State Park Administration to reconsider this policy banning all pets from the park.

Text of Petition:

We, the undersigned, are requesting that well-behaved, leashed dogs be permitted designated areas of the Nissequogue River State Park. Through the institution of leash and clean-up regulations, we believe the property can be used in a safe and respectful manner by dog owners and their dogs. Secondly, we respectfully request that the Nissequogue River State Park Administration establish a fenced-in area, where well-behaved unleashed dogs can exercise in a safe environment without endangering or annoying people, property and wildlife.

Please Visit our Website to Sign the Petition:
Kings Park Network


All the best
Steve Weber
Kings Park Network

 

[Renee750il]

Even more effective, given the shortage of funding, might be a boycott of the New York State Park by all dog owners.

And TELL the state of NY that you're doing it - your representatives, your state senators, your governor via petitions and/or e-mail.

E-mail is effective because they get buried under it. The sheer volume of it gets the message across.

 

[Barb04]

First, can someone from outside Kings Park, NY sign this petition?

Second, welcome to the board. I grew up the first 38 years of my life in Kings Park. It was so nice seeing pics on the website.

 

[release the hounds]

faxes work better than email, they do get buried under that

 

[KingsParkNetwork]

Anyone is welcome to sign the petition. Parks are a big draw of tourism outside of the state.

I agree that email is ineffective, we have created a plan and submitted the signatures of support with this plan. At the core of this plan, is that it costs next to nothing and will increase use of the park and generate revenue through the normal park use fees.

When we speak to our state officials, being able to say that we represent 1,000 citizens give our cause instant standing.

 

[Renee750il]

faxes work better than email, they do get buried under that

True for a lot of places.

I just try not to kill any more trees than absolutely necessary to make my point

 

[JudithMary]

It is so sad when dogs are banned. Years ago Ontario banned dogs from beaches in the parks. After that we couldn't bring our dog camping with us. Put an end to the enjoyment of camping for us.

 

[wishbone]

That's pretty bad they limited the Park to non-dog visitors, hope they will see how the park gets less without dogs...

 

[Boemy]

I would ask them why dogs are banned. Is it because they are just tired of the irresponsible owners out there? Or is there some other concern?

The reason this springs to mind is that dogs brought parvo to Isle Royale (Minnesota) and Yellowstone. (And there weren't even supposed to BE any dogs allowed on Isle Royale. Thanks a lot, idiot visitor.) I wouldn't imagine there would be wolves in New York but there might be other concerns. It wouldn't hurt to check.

 

[chanda]

next time it will be against the law to bring your dog outside of your house...

what a waste of tax money... sigh...

 

[KingsParkNetwork]

I would ask them why dogs are banned. Is it because they are just tired of the irresponsible owners out there? Or is there some other concern?

The reason this springs to mind is that dogs brought parvo to Isle Royale (Minnesota) and Yellowstone. (And there weren't even supposed to BE any dogs allowed on Isle Royale. Thanks a lot, idiot visitor.) I wouldn't imagine there would be wolves in New York but there might be other concerns. It wouldn't hurt to check.

The area is an old psychiatric hospital which closed in 1996, since that time people have used the area as an impromptu dog park. On Jan 1, 2009, the New York State Parks Department took over the maintenance of the area. All pets are banned from NYS Parks unless otherwise specified. This policy was instituted to insure that the park is in compliance with existing NYS Parks Policy.

We spoke to park representatives, who clarified the policy and suggested that we demonstrate that the community supports allowing leashed, well behaved dogs in the park providing that the owner clean up after their pet and has in their possession the items needed to do so at all time. That is the purpose of our petition.

This new state park is empty, very few people use this section of the park because there are virtually no recreational opportunities in the area we would like to use for this family friendly activity.