Parks Commissioner Plans to Kick Dog Owners out of Coindre Hall

Suffolk County dog owners are in danger of losing yet another place to take their dogs for exercise and socialization. The Suffolk County Parks Department plans to kick dog owners out of Coindre Hall, one of their most cherished spots. It's time for Suffolk County to join the rest of the country, and start recognizing the value dog parks provide to their communities. To read about the Parks Departments plans go to LI Dog

If Dog Parks are important to you, now is the time to write Steve Levy and let him know. We need dog lovers from all over the county to write him. If Suffolk County officials can change their minds on this issue, it will make it easier to create dog parks in other places within the county. All the addresses and information are provided in the story posted on LI Dog

Message edited 11/7/2006 7:46:03 PM.

Re: PLEASE HELP - re: Coindre Hall

I sent this e-mail to all those in office in my area and also to Patrick Foley and Steve Levy - feel free to use it and revise as you wish. Sometimes it's just easier to copy someone else's rather than write your own and at this point we just need to get the info to those in office. Especially with tomorrow being Election Day.

Dear Mr. Levy:

As a resident and homeowner of Suffolk County I am writing to you regarding the status of Coindre Hall Park. Particularly regarding the dog runs in West Hills, Blydenburgh and Coindre Hall. I am a frequent user of the county parks, especially since I have a two year old Weimeraner dog. I truly appreciate the fact that we have any dog runs accessible as I do realize the county is not required to have dog runs in the parks. However, I wanted to address the issue of removing dogs from Coindre Hall.

I understand that you are in the process of opening a new and larger dog run at West Hills and are planning one in Blydenburgh, but I do not think that Coindre Hall should be eliminated. It is the largest run area of all and the only one where the dogs can access water. I live in Medford and travel over an hour to Coindre Hall almost weekly for the amenities that are available there. Neither of the planned runs are close to the size of Coindre Hall. There is a definite need for a large open area with hills where our dogs can play. Many of the dog owners go there specifically for the water access and I know my dog is happiest at Coindre Hall.

While I appreciate your concern for other park users, I also see no reason why the Parks Department and dog owners cannot come to some kind of agreement. I know that in the past the members of LI-DOG set up signs and informed guests with dogs to keep to one side of the park. This action was taken only to avoid any problems with other guests at the park. We, as responsible owners do not feel, to quote Mr. Foley, as if we "have a proprietary right to do whatever they want", we have shown in the past that we want to work with officials to reach a satisfactory arrangement for all concerned. We appreciate the fact that Coindre Hall is an "important historic asset in the county" and have shown our ability to keep it clean and well maintained. Also, the parks department should keep in mind that the regular use of the park prevents looting and vandalizing of the buildings in the park. I have seen other county parks in which there is little human and/or dog use in poor condition. Coindre Hall, on the other hand, is very clean and there is little graffitti and garbage. Part of this is due to the attention of the dog owners when they do bring their animals to the park Knowing that park use is a privilege, we do our utmost to keep it clean and well maintained.

I know that no action has been taken as of yet, but I am asking that you keep these facts in mind as you proceed with the plans for Blydenburgh and West Hills. Please keep Coindre Hall accessible to dogs and people, it is truly a wonderful feature in the Suffolk County Parks System.
Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Gertrude McAllister

Re: PLEASE HELP - re: Coindre Hall

Shoot Gerty I wish I had seen your reply before I made up my own email!! You expressed yourself wonderfully...all I wrote was:

Gentlemen:

As a responsible and law-abiding dog owner, not to mention tax-paying citizen who should have some say in how our tax dollars are spent, I am trully disappointed - no disgusted - to read that you are trying to take our beloved Coindre Hall away from man's best friend. Below are just a few reasons NOT to do this:

Dog owners love Coindre Hall

Dog owners take good care of Coindre Hall

Dog owners protect the park from vandalism

Coindre Hall is a BIG park that can easily accommodate dog owners and other users

Animals ARE historic at Coindre Hall/West Neck Farm (not soccer or catered affairs)

Dog owners have worked responsibly to create a solution that works for everyone at Coindre Hall

Why would the Parks Dept. try to get rid of a park's most dedicated supporters?

Dog owners will fight to protect Coindre Hall for Huntington residents, not commercial interests

I urge you to reconsider and follow the lead that the rest of the country has taken, by providing a safe, clean and friendly place for man's best friend to play and run - and man with him. Obesity is also a huge problem today, and exercising your dog is one of the best ways to combat this.

Re: PLEASE HELP - re: Coindre Hall

thank you SO much. PLEASE pass on the info to your friends, family and co-workers. we desperately need the support.

Re: Parks Commissioner Plans to Kick Dog Owners out of Coindre Hall

bump

Re: Parks Commissioner Plans to Kick Dog Owners out of Coindre Hall

Even though it is after election day I forwarded this to all I know.

Thanks for posting.

Re: Parks Commissioner Plans to Kick Dog Owners out of Coindre Hall

Re: Parks Commissioner Plans to Kick Dog Owners out of Coindre Hall

Just out of curiosity - I had checked off to have a read receipt sent went I emailed the letters and I still haven't gotten a single reciept back. I am thinking of printing hard copies and sending them off to the various legislatures, with a note regarding the e-mails.
I sort of feel as though we are being ignored

Re: Parks Commissioner Plans to Kick Dog Owners out of Coindre Hall

Posted by Gertyrae

Just out of curiosity - I had checked off to have a read receipt sent went I emailed the letters and I still haven't gotten a single receipt back. I am thinking of printing hard copies and sending them off to the various legislatures, with a note regarding the e-mails.
I sort of feel as though we are being ignored