Letters

I appreciate the coverage of the meeting at East Hampton Town Hall about the dog park in Springs [“Disagreement Persists on Changes to Springs Park,” 27east.com, August 20], but I would like to clarify my position.

I said that a clever landscaper could help us create a separate, secure half acre within the park and not have the park carved up (which, to me, means multiple divided areas). This half acre within the park for smaller and older dogs would provide safety from aggressive dogs. I also made the comment that cutting back invasive species would allow other plants to flourish, maintain shady areas and add more visibility.

Though this meeting was sparsely attended, in relation to the about 100 people who attended the previous meeting in Springs, for the most part people during this meeting were civil, with a few exceptions.

What occurred in the parking lot after the meeting was unfortunate. I’m glad I missed it. Just outside Town Hall, I was talking a bit with a friend and met the facilitator of the panel who led the discussion. And then we went our separate ways. Once home, I found out what I missed.

I still feel common ground is in sight. We all want to maintain the special nature and beauty of the park — shady, cool areas; sunny, open areas for doggy games of chase; and with varied walking trails circling the park’s 22 very special acres.

But some, like myself, feel the safe socialization of our canine buddies is equally important. Hey, we are all getting older. Safety first. Pups need to feel safe; their humans need their pups to be safe. And to accomplish this, we need to get along, which implies safe, respectful behavior and a compromise.

And if by chance there are those reading this who have stopped bringing your dog or dogs to the park because of a dog fight or fearful, aggressive dog situation (like me), please write a letter to the East Hampton Town Board in support of a compromise allowing for space inside or adjacent to the park that can simply be “The Little, Old, Easy, Bud, Doggy Half Acre.”

The petition brought to the town was signed by current parents of dog visitors to the park who want to primarily leave the park as it is. The number of those who have left the dog park is unknown. Letters from the community in support of the “doggy half acre” would be very helpful.

Support safety, the beauty of nature and fun for our doggy/human community.

Kathleen Colihan

Springs