A recent email sent to residents of Gardiner by the Town Supervisor was both disturbing and puzzling. The email outlined some needed minor repairs and upkeep to the town Dog Park, and ended with a statement that if volunteers did not perform the needed maintenance, the dog park will need to be closed. The threat of closure is the disturbing part, but the idea that all upkeep and maintenance needs to be by volunteers, is the puzzling part.
When the dog park was created through the 100% efforts of volunteers in 2012, both with the physical effort and fundraising for materials, it was done under the supervision of the Parks and Recreation Commission. The dog park is on town owned land, and was absorbed there after into the town parks umbrella, the same as Majestic Park or the Rail Trail, with town resources going to care and maintenance.
It seems that recently, with the induction of the current town board, the board and supervisor have disowned any responsibility of the town to provide routine care and repair, such as fixing a gate, refreshing some entryway gravel, and mowing (the same as the surrounding ball field). Those who enjoy the dog park are puzzled by this shift in attitude, and hope that the Parks and Recreation Commission restores some minor funding to maintain the park in the future. You may add your name to a petition to support our effort at Change.org
Letter submitted by:
Pamela O’Dell
Gardiner
April 8
Other signers:
Nancy Barrett (former P&R Commission member)
Ed Barrett
William Barrett
Robert Davis
Micheline Tilton
Ashley Sadler
The Papp Family
Moira Clune
And 76 other names that have signed via Change.org
