Not in My Backyard: Residents Growl About Proposed Dog Park

A dog park may not be in the stars for Scarsdale. At a heated public forum on Tuesday November 13, scores of residents came out to voice their objection to the location of a dog park at Weinberg Nature Center, at Drake Field and at Crossway.

Their objections started with concerns about the proximity to their own backyards and extended to fear of parasites, wildlife preservation, potential litigation, children’s safety, parking traffic and unwarranted spending.

The response was so negative, that by the end of the meeting it was difficult to understand how the proposal had come this far.

As background, both the Scarsdale Forum and Scarsdale Neighborhood Associations Presidents (SNAP) had issued reports asking the Village Trustees to look into building a dog park in Scarsdale. Both reports extolled the many benefits of dog parks for dog owners and dogs alike. The SNAP report called a dog park a “much-needed amenity” for the Village of Scarsdale and asked the Village Board to “consider the establishment of a dog park in an appropriate location.”

The Scarsdale Forum report concluded by saying, “The availability of a dog park in the Village is of interest not only to many of the 418 registered dog owners in Scarsdale, but also to others who would have to register their dogs if a dog park were made available, a not inconsequential benefit to the general public health and welfare. “However, the Forum report did note that siting the dog park could be a challenge, saying, “The issue of the location for the dog park will be of primary interest to neighborhood residents.”

Following these recommendations, at their September 25 meeting, the Scarsdale Board of Trustees approved a resolution to “identify a qualified vendor for the development of dog park plans and specifications, as well as to complete any necessary environmental review, with such proposal for services to be presented to the Village Board at a future Recreation Committee meeting where consideration of park feasibility will continue.”

However, rather than simply identify a consultant, it appears that the Village retained consultants JCY to examine the feasibility of a dog park at Weinberg Nature Center, which the Mayor said posed the most challenges and therefore required professional expertise. At the opening of the meeting on November 13, residents wanted to know why Weinberg was the only site studied and why Village Managers had not followed the Board’s instructions.

Lucille Munz from JMC Planning presented the findings of their study on the feasibility and costs of a dog park at the Weinberg Nature Center. They examined the compatibility of the site with existing uses and adjacent uses, its impact on vegetation, wetlands, visuals and noise. They studied Rumbrooke Dog Park and Yorktown Dog Park to understand usage and parking needs. They determined that 40 parking spaces would be required to accommodate peak usage from 9-3 on weekdays and on weekends.

They recommended that the park be 100 to 200 feet away from homes, that the site have potable water and that the site be relatively flat and at least 1 acre. JMC was only able to identify three quarters of an acre at Weinberg that was flat and met the necessary setbacks from homes and wetlands.

Considering Weinberg, Munz found that the site vegetation was primarily invasive species such as Norway maples, burning bush and ivy, and estimated that to build a dog park 27, 16-caliper invasive trees would need to be removed, 1.75 acres would be disturbed and 15,000 square feet of impervious surface would be lost.

She recommended that 25 additional parking spaces should be built, adding to the already existing parking lot that runs along Mamaroneck Road.

The total cost for items such as tree removal, land clearing, grading, drainage, wood chips, planting of evergreens, construction of gravel paths and parking, fencing and a key fob system was estimated at $361,850, with annual maintenance costs of $9,200. These estimates were far higher than expected and some of the costs were related to specific conditions at the Weinberg Nature Center.

Munz also noted that potential affects of a dog park included increased traffic mostly on weekend, impact on nature center activities and the Leatherstocking Trail connection and noise disturbance due to increased visitors.

Trustees were invited to comment first and Justin Arest said, “The Board was clear that no contracts should be issued by village staff. It is unclear as to how we arrived here – with an executed contract – and I intend to look into this…The board needs to hear from the community that this is wanted and desired. Even if you are here to speak about one site, please also give your thoughts on a dog park in general. Where is this money coming from in the current climate? Should we consider a public private partnership? Is there grant money available? Can permits help offset the costs? How many dogs are there in Scarsdale? How will we staff the park? How will we enforce use by those who have permits?”

Jane Veron echoed Arest’s concerns about the consultants and added, “I am very interested in hearing from the community. We received a Forum report and SNAP commentary.”

Carl Finger said, “I think this report gives us something to chew on. We need to see if there is significant support for a dog park. What are the costs for a less challenging site? How does this compare to the Weinberg costs? Anyone in the abstract would like a dog park. When you get down to the site and the costs it is more difficult to reach a resolution. I have significant concerns about the site.”

Seth Ross said, “We have not found a location that the community can get around. Weinberg seems like a less than ideal site. I think there will be similar objections to other sites. Another factor is size. It’s optimally an acre or more but at Weinberg we have ¾ acre and the topography is not ideal. I don’t think we are far along in the process of agreeing to go forward.”

Lena Crandall said that the President of the Weinberg Nature Center had written a letter saying she is concerned from a scientific perspective. Disease could be transmitted between dogs and wildlife. She is concerned about coyotes and strongly opposes the idea of mixing wild and domestic animals. Crandall also had a response from a realtor who feels that a dog park would enhance the community.

The Board then invited the public to speak and a long line formed. Speaking at length, Sabine Bochner of 1 Barker Lane called the dog park “a horrible nuisance.” She said that Weinberg is already an active place and feared that the dog park would cause cars to “spill out onto Barker Lane,” and “impact traffic going to the Hutch.” She questioned the estimate of $9,200 to run the park and warned, “If the dogs fight, owners will sue the village. There will have to be someone there enforcing usage.”

Melanie Spivak, the President of the Quaker Ridge Neighborhood Association said she is “in support of a dog park but not at Weinberg Nature Center.” She said, “I love that I can see wildlife in our neighborhood. As a member of SNAP I endorsed a dog park – but it has to be the right location.” She said the Weinberg Nature Center is a “sanctuary for animals and a place to enjoy peace and beauty.” She feared that “more trees will be taken down,” and called the traffic
‘problematic.”

The President of Bronx River Audobon called Weinberg Nature Center “a living memorial,” that was opened in 1958 as a wildlife preserve and should stay that way.” Discussing the dog park at Ward Acres he said, “Birding has stopped because the dogs chased away the birds.”

Residents also objected to a dog park at Drake Field. Tom Wilentz said, “I am alarmed at the thought of a dog park in Drake Field. I don’t believe there is a 200-foot buffer. It is a multi-use park. If it were turned into a dog park it is only 1 acre – that would be it for Drake Field? This is not an ecologically friendly idea.”

Gregg Schwinn of 49 Barry Road said, “I am against a dog park at Drake Field or anywhere. My area faces flooding and sewer back ups. The idea of spending $60,000 or $360,000 at a time when we have sewage backing up into people’s houses makes me wonder why this is on the table. If we have 422dogs in Scarsdale, that’s not a high percentage of dog ownership. Who would pay for this? Some won’t take the dog to a dog park – people are afraid of their dogs getting sick. Why not look at something everyone could use?”

Anu Ramachandran of 3 Barker Lane said he lives across from the nature center. He said, “We took our dog to the dog park but she was injured. I heard the study was of many sites. Now I am alarmed – you have commissioned a study of one location. I am concerned that a judgment has already been made. Quaker Ridge is the home for an enormous number of activities. Golf courses, the pool, Crossway Fields… We have enormous traffic on Mamaroneck Road. There is a good chance that I will get into an accident. It takes 3-4 minutes for us to exit our house.”

Sarah Bell, President of SNAP and the President of the West Quaker Ridge Neighborhood Association said she had many letters from residents to read. She said, “SNAP favored the village researching the feasibility of a dog park. Ultimately they did not recommend any one location. SNAP thought this meeting should be adjourned to get information about the other sites.”

Mayor Dan Hochvert asked her not to use up all the remaining time but she continued, “Jeremy Gans, President of the Scarsdale Youth Soccer Association is opposed to using Crossway for a dog park as it competes with those using the field for sports.” Adding her own opinion she said, "Crossway is also inappropriate.”

Sarit Fuchs 2 Penn Blvd said, “I am not in favor of a dog park at Crossway. It’s a busy place and there are lots of kids. Weinberg not an appropriate place.”

Maura Mandrano a three-year employee of the nature center said, “I object to the idea of a dog park at the nature center. I love dogs – it’s not that. I am a wildlife rescuer. I looked for a release spot to release wildlife – it was a perfect place for squirrels, opossums, birds. The spot for the dog run is far from the parking lot. There is a tendency for people to leave the dog off leash when they are going to and from the pen. They will impact the wildlife. Weinberg has programs for children
Kids are out on the trails all year round.”

Roger Pellegrini of 22 Drake Road said, “I am surrounded by Drake Park. Turning my house into a dog park would make it uninhabitable. I am a dog owner. In theory a dog park is a great idea. I went to Ward Park – it’s a dust bowl – and every time you go there is a fight.”

Fred Green of 459 Mamaroneck Road said “I am a dog owner and a lifetime Scarsdale resident. We should use taxpayer funds to enhance the community. People move here because of the schools and the fields. They don’t move here for a dog park. When the tax burden is this high we should invest in enhancing the community. If we have funds for a dog park, let’s revisit the tax rate. There is litigation around dog parks. They fight with each other and bite people. In the abstract it’s a nice idea. We are not desperately in need of a dog park. But we are in need of infrastructure.”

Bob Berg, who was one of the authors of the SNAP report said, “We recommended that this meeting be adjourned. We asked that the Village study the issue. We wrote a report explaining the positives of a dog park. Because you focused on Weinberg, people have come out to object to it. Why not have the consultant do a study of all the sites? Let’s see if there is a suitable place? The actual costs should be lower and fees should cover them. Dog parks are not crazy zones where dogs attack each other. A Scarsdale facility will be well run and supervised by friends of the dog park. Instead of having hysteria lets have the consultant analyze it. I don’t see this as a major expenditure. It upsets me that we spent $50,000 on a tennis court.”

Rich Schechner said, “I have a petition signed by 33 residents against a dog park at Drake Park. We are opposed to a dog park. Montgomery Road is the parking lot for Edgewood School. Any added spaces will not change the traffic on Montgomery Road. Houses on Montgomery all get run off from the park – if you change the surface it will run off – and have a potential problem of parasites. There are other areas that would be better suited. There is currently no parking at Drake – take it off the list tonight.”

Tom Giordano quoted the September 28 issue of the Scarsdale Inquirer which excerpted the Forum report on a dog park. It said, “Finding a location might be very difficult to solve….no matter how well suited, the residential owners will be upset.”
He asked, “Why create all this turmoil for a dog park? Let’s concentrate on other important matters.”

Allison Park said, “I am opposed to a dog park, primarily because of parasites. Parasites would get into water.”

Gwen Horn of Stratton Road is a fan of dog parks. She said, “I frequent Ward Acres. I have wonderful experiences there. It’s a great way to keep people in the community. It brings people together.”

Stuart Katchis of 2 Barker Lane said, “Why don’t you partner with neighboring communities that have one. Let us register there and defer their expenses. Let’s use things in other communities.”

Ron Parlato of 1 Sherbrooke Road said, “I own the 10 acre site next door to the Weinberg. When I did my DEC updates they found the American beaver swimming in the 2.7 acre pond. What did the Weinberg family dedicate and donate this park for?

As time ran short before the start of the Board of Trustees meeting, the Board invited speakers to continue during the public comments portion of the regular meeting.

As one speaker said, “Don’t’ ask people if they are in favor of a dog park. Ask them if they favor a dog park in their own backyard.” With NIMBY concerns ruling the night, it was doubtful whether the Trustees would continue to pursue the creation of a dog park. There appeared to be no location that would not upset someone.