Tons of people already use the field at Honeygo as a dog run. Why not fence that area in so that our dogs can play safely? I'm sure people would raise funds if it meant our puppies could play together in a safe place :)

Thank you so much for this thoughtful article about a much needed and clearly wanted addition to the Perry Hall community. Just a note to clarify. This evening's meeting, July, 25th is not with the county but is a planning meeting open to all members the Perry Hall Dog Park Facebook group. We hope to meet with the County sometime in August.

If anyone would like to come to today's meeting you can either join the facebook group or directly email me perryhalldogpark@gmail.com, for time and location. We would love to have you.

While I would support a dog park I would like to see the skatepark that is on the sign for Gough Park to be built first. I have been told many times there isn't enough money in Parks and Rec. Look around Perry Hall and you will see a lot of kids skateboarding and bmxing in parking lots which isn't exactly safe.

My husband and I walk at Honeygo Regional Park two to three times a week. Every visit yields a view of dog feces not cleaned up by dog owners along the paved path and many times, the feces is actually on the paved path which is extremely irritating. There are even two dispensers (along with a sign that states that owners should clean up after their dogs) with supplies for dog owners who forget to bring the bags from home, to use to clean up after their dogs along the path. We have never seen anyone using these supplies while we have been there. Also posted at the park are two signs stating dogs should be kept on their leash and almost every time we go there, owners let their dogs run free. We have been accosted several times by lose dogs on the path. I often hear from the dog owners say - "oh he's very friendly or she doesn't bite". Well, I was attacked by one of those so called "friendly" dogs several years ago and do not like dogs coming up to me. I have nothing against dogs - its the irresponsible owners that I take exception to. Until it can be proved that dog owners are responsible, I cannot see supporting something like this - especially if it involves being paid with tax money. I know this will not be a popular suggestion but in addition to those who use the path, and with all the children on the playground and surrounding area as well as those at sporting events, playing and rolling in the feces filled grass, I think dogs should not be allowed there at all.

@ Laura I share your disgust at the lack of consideration on the part of people who do not behave responsibliy. As someone who walks my dogs regularly in many parks and ALWAYS has them leashed, I do not appreciate dogs running up to me or my leashed dogs either. I pick up after not just my dogs and those of others, but I pick water bottles, fast food wrappers, juice boxes and litany of of other trash left by others who use the park. While none of my three dogs are appropriate for a dog park, I absolutely advocate for one as not only will it give people a safe legal place to play with their dogs, it will mean fewer unleashed dogs to run up to you and me. Because dogs generally prefer to deficate when they are offlead, there will be fewer dogs using the rest of the park for this reason. The sound enforcement of rules coupled with the peer pressure at a dog park is generally enough to ensure that people clean up after their dogs. For all of these reasons, you might find that a dog park is exactly what you want and what the community needs.

@ Paul, I absolutely agree that anyone breaking the law should be punished, but I think it is important to remember that dog parks are not for dogs, They are for dog owners. I do not appreciate unleashed dogs running up to my leashed dog when I legally use parks or walk on in neighborhoods either. Just as I do not appreciate a baseball through my window, or hitting my car while parked in my driveway. Dog parks are no more a matter of rewarding irresponsible pet owner behaviour than ball fields are rewarding irresponsible parents. Children need a place to play and as dog owners are tax payers and have been footing the bill for playing fields all these years and doing so gladly despite some (those without children) having absolutley no use for them. As tax paying county residents, dog owners deserve a piece of the recreational pie for which they have been paying. While some may want to dictate exactly where their tax dollars go and where they do not, please remember that many people pay for schools, playgrounds, arts, and all sorts of things they do not use but from which the community benefits. The community will benefit from a dog park..

Why these are great ideas, dog parks etc I can not support any new projects at this time. The County has dipped into the rainy day fund for 68 million dollars and will certainly have to do so next year for, most likely more than that. This is not the time to be building parks for dogs with taxpayer money. We need to make ends meet before we take on any new projects.

With that being said. What I would like to see is some more Private/Public partnerships to complete projects the benefit the communtiy, ie...Dog Park, Skate park etc.

Thank you for your honest and forth right view on this issue Mr. Lutostanski. I will however remind you that a significant portion of the tax payer dollars to which you refer come from dog owners. Dog owners who are constituents and who currently have no piece of the tax funded recreational pie.

I would very much love to have a Dog Park at Honeygo Park. Driving to another county to let my dog run off his energy and socialize with other pups is not on my agenda so it's the leashed walks through the development for me. Boring for both us, to say the least! I truly believe that responsible owners do pick up after their dogs.

Dog parks are good for dogs and good for people too. Of course, everyone has to be diligent about cleaning up after their dog which should be the norm anyway. I am also a tax payer and my money is going toward ball fields for kids, etc. so I think it is time that something is in place for people who have animals. For now I have to drive to Harford county for my dog to enjoy a dog park. I also take him for walks but a dog park is a playground for dogs and teaches them socialization with other animals.

@ Judy and Patricia -- I agree wholeheartedly. It's actually not "legal" to use another county's dog park and I always feel "guilty" using the two near the Harford/Baltimore County line. My other options are to drive to Reisterstown or downtown, which is wasteful of fuel and time. The Community has already stated they are willing to fund- raise for the project as not to have much impact on the County budget. I have witnessed that dogpark users are very responsible pet owners, and monitor each other. As far as trash and dog feces, I have a problem just keeping my front lawn clean of them because I live where we have a lot of foot-traffic. There are irresponsible people everywhere. I believe that having a busy dogpark, might make for less offenders if there are more 'witnesses.'

@paul have you ever been to a park in general. you always going to get someone that does not clean up after them selves. As for a dog park most people use peer preasure to clean up the poop or just clean up other dogs poop. I feel everyone's feeling about tax dollars. I am a tax payer. I have no children. Why does my tax money go to upkeep on parks, program, employees etc etc. I dont want to pay for your kids. I also dont want to hear about how you have to raise money for programs. the fields mowed, turf gets replaced, etc etc. I honestly have no use for the park. There are no programs geared towards my needs. We arent asking for a sports field, we are asking for a fence around an area that already there with out a fence. Also this could cut down on other county programs. Do you know a dog has 4 days at the county pound before it is EUTHANISED. The most common reason people give up dogs is because they are hyper and descructive. A dog park is a great place to get that energy out. (@ paul not all dogs get tired out on walks) If less dogs are in the pound then that agency cost of doing business goes down which mean less use of tax payers money. Dog parks also arent just for the dogs, I met some very nice people at the dog park in the town of belair. There are two problems 1st is i live in the county and it is only for harford county residents, second the drive is expensive from dundalk. This could be a income generator for the county, agility, flyball etcetc.

Eastern Baltimore County needs a dog park. Why should we be without? Dog parks provide an opportunity for controlled freeedom and socialization without infringing on the rights of people who have no interest in being involved with our canine friends. I am happy to see us working together for a positive outcome and would happy to be a part of future efforts.

I am not a dog owner, but I do have children. Children need a place to run around, hence the parks create a thing called a playground. My child uses the playground to release energy and learn socialization with his peers. All these dog owners seem to want is a fenced in area in the park where their dogs can run around and do the same. Yes you have irresponsible dog owners that dont clean up poop. But for one, those dog owners already exist and are not gonna clean up after the dog no matter where they are, and I'd rather it be in a park than right outside my doorstep (which HAS happened). Besides like others have mentioned, with more witnesses (the other dog owners) you will probably have less of that happening anyway. There are plenty of parents that do not clean up after their children on the playgrounds either... but should we take playgrounds away because of that and disallow children from going to the park? I think not! Besides, as a mother, if a dog is going to be running around unleashed in a park, Id rather see it in a designated area and away from my playing child!

And for those complaining about funding, maybe I am mistaken, but is it not just about adding some fencing? It couldnt really break our budget THAT badly, and just like some of the above stated, as dog owners with no children, they have been paying tax money to child related things that do not directly benefit them. Lets give them an area for their dogs to play safely.

Again, I thank you for your comment Mr. Lutostanski. It however, does not change my view and the comment to which you replied remains accurate. Dog owners are tax paying citizens and constituents who have funded projects for everyone else and have never asked for any part of the recreational pie. With all respect, I suspect there will never be a "good" time. When the budget is a bit fuller, there will be other projects. So while I appreciate your honesty, I am disappointed that you do not support this project at this time as clearly many in the Perry Hall area do support it. .

I have a fenced in yard and walk my dog all over my neighborhood but would still love to see a dog park within driving distance from my home. I would love to be able to let him off his leash to socialize with other dogs as well as giving me an opportunity to meet other dog/animal lovers like me.

A dog park and skate park would be nice. I do not own, or plan to own, a dog, however, special features like these draw people to the community, which in turn, draw more commercial businesses to the area. I hope to see a revitalization of the Perry Hall Shopping Center and anything to help get that started would be a benefit in my opinion.

BTW....many of the people that bring their dogs to the fields at Honeygo STAY in the fields and do not even use the track. The people who use the field are mostly responsible people who pick up after their pets. I have seen the track and been disgusted by dog poop left by irresponsible owners. The "field folks" are aware of the importance of picking up after their dogs...the track walkers with pets...apparently not so much. I can say with a great deal of confidence that there are generally two different "dog" groups at the park.
In addition, as stated in an earlier response to a comment made about the feces in the park..."responsible" use of this area is a widespread necessity...I have spent HOURS picking up trash, and especially dangerous GLASS along the marked trails in the woods so no one (adult, child, or dog) slices open a foot or hand.
This is about "mutual respect:" and tolerance, and working as a team together to make a park that can be used by MANY different groups of people in a responsible manner. Just my not-so-humble opinion. --Laura F. (and Maple!)

Wow!!! HYPOCRISY is alive and well IN PERRY HALL. One athletic field for children to play sports at Honeygo Park cost tax payers approximately $1.5 MILLION!!! And some people are arguing against the cost of putting a fence around a field??? Are you kidding me?? I have lived in the area my entire life and I have watched day after day, week after week, month after month, and year after year, as another ball field is dug, another building is erected, another playground is installed, all for families with children. I have paid my taxes just like everyone else....and yet I have remained quietly waiting in frustration and sadness for a simple fence surrounding a field for safety purposes for dog owners and their pets. The lopsided use of tax money is disheartening to say the least.
Seriously folks, if you are gonna pick a fight...don't be hypocrites...at least "PLAY FAIR." --Laura F. (and Maple!)

as for the gentleman who is worried about dog aggressiveness. Dogs just need to be watched by the owners and know there dog. What i noticed is when i went on a regular basis to ma & pa we never had a problem the dogs got to know each other. also you need to watch your dog, hair going up, long stares (not play staring). things you can bring to stop a problem. water bottle or air horn

I would Mr. Danaher's comments and would encourage anyone concerned about introducing a dog to a dog park to read my article about this exact topic right here in the Perry Hall Patch with particular attention paid to the PDF file DOG PARK 101 in the media gallery. http://perryhall.patch.com/articles/the-dog-park-a-modern-day-playground