new playgrounds at elementary schools

[todd vainisi]

Okay, so the popularity of the basketball goal has waned. Though it's still very popular, I don't spend every second of the evening listening to the BWWWOOOONNNGGGG of bricks against the hoop.

Instead, the neighborhood has designated the fenced in asphalt and playground a semi-private dog run. Neighbors from around the area take turns walking their dogs in the early morning (such as 8:30 on a sunday) to take advantage of a large enclosed area to let their canine pals get some exercise. However, there are two houses adjacent to that property with dogs that go nuts when there are dogs hanging out in the park. It causes quite a disruption to the neighborhood. In the interest of full disclosure, one of these houses with the barking dogs is mine. I am so tired of shutting my dogs up over and over each time someone decides to turn the school across the street their private dog run (even though I love seeing the joy on the dogs as they get off the leash and run around). I am looking into some additional training for my animals, though part of the reason I have them is to alert me if someone is snooping around at night. We've had break-ins on the street and my car has been tossed a couple of times.

So, like I said, I have dogs. I love dogs. I bought one of the few houses in lakewood with a decent yard and knew I had plenty of space for my dog to run. I also walk my dogs daily. So, please don't interrupt this as grumpy old man (I'm only early 40s) who hates dogs. It's quite the opposite.

But, the Elementary school playground is not a dog park. There are signs right on the fence that include a dog with cross through it. They aren't allowed there, regardless of my barking dog. Dog parks are loud, annoying (but totally necessary and wonderful) places. Lakewood put it in the valley aware from people's homes for a reason. There is a lot of barking when dogs see each other.

Is our school the only one with this issue - the convertible private dog run problem? I think a great solution would be to remove the gates so that the fence is never "secure."

[Michael Deneen]

I'm a bit confused...which playground are you referring to?

[Paul Schrimpf]

The old Franklin Elementary I believe on Franklin and Waterbury. I see folks with dogs in there quite a bit.