Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota News - Dogs were not a problem in park

Dogs were not a problem in park

Sep 15, 2008 - 09:50:27 CDT

By NANCY LANE
Glendive, Mont.

The Tribune printed a letter (Sept. 7) from Mr. Eldy Leapaldt regarding a Lure Coursing Fun Run, sponsored by the Bismarck Kennel Club at the Municipal Ball Park. As organizers of the event, we would like to respond.

First, the kennel club did pay a rental fee for the use of the park. We agreed to pay $100 to Bismarck Parks and Rec. We believe we did our part to support park maintenance.

Secondly, we have strict rules about clean-up at our events and about how dogs are to be handled. We allow only one dog to run on the field at any given time. At the event in August, only one dog stopped in the middle of his run to relieve himself. It was solid waste and his owner cleaned it up immediately. All other dogs were waiting on leashes and in their crates along the fence line of the field. If they urinated, it was not on the field proper.

We were disturbed that Mr. Leapaldt said the details of our event were of no consequence, since some people probably imagined 30 or 40 dogs out on the field all at the same time, which was simply not the case. The event was well-organized and dogs were not free to run and do as they pleased.

Thirdly, the field is equipped with a very substantial sprinkler system. It is watered every day and mowed every week. If there was residual urine along the fence line, it would have been removed very soon.

Fourthly, we purposely did not request the use of the field during the baseball season. We book our events in early spring or late summer/fall so we can be respectful of our community's priorities.

Fifthly, the kennel club would very much like to use the dog parks for our events. However, lure coursing requires a two- to three-acre field to provide a substantial run and the dog parks are not adequately sized. We used the diamond because of space, not aesthetics.

Finally, we would like to say that we work very hard to encourage all kennel club members to train their dogs, thoroughly socialize them, keep them under control at all times, maintain up-to-date vaccination protocols and health testing, and promote good canine citizenship. We do not expect that everyone enjoy dogs the way we do. We understand that we may not always be as welcome as some groups in the parks. But if we do in fact use them, we try our best to be responsible and respectful of the general public.

We hope that all parties who use the parks can be good neighbors for each other.

(The letter is signed by members of the Bismarck Kennel Club board of directors: Nancy Lane, Megan Dollinger, Lisa Blair, and Jolene Clemmons.)

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Comments

Walker wrote on Sep 21, 2008 8:41 AM:

" A dog show or run in a controlled event, I can live with. I do wish that dog owners would have some respect for the law and other people and leash their dogs when required, which is anytime they are in a public place in Bismarck. So many people let their dogs run loose in the city parks, around the college and the Capital, and even on the sidewalks and walking paths. I like well-behaved pets but I don't want them jumping up on me or acting aggressively, as some do. It's simple common courtesy as well as the law. Could go a long way to building public support for the shows anbd runs. "

Cynical Independent wrote on Sep 20, 2008 11:19 PM:

" Does this mean that since parks and rec rents the ballpark to the kennel club they also have the power to suspend the city ordinance requiring dogs to be on a leash? I hope the city of Bismarck has legally protected itself in case a dog bites someone on city property at an event they have authorized. "

JP wrote on Sep 20, 2008 1:26 PM:

" Actually Doc- A great place for the marathon this weekend would be the miles and miles of trails that the parks have put together over the years. Granted, you may have to use some miles of roads to put it all together. Not everybody may like dogs as much as the next person... and not everyone cares about a ball field as much as the next person... I am OK with the fact that I don't see it the same way as the dog lovers... Can you say the same "good ol' Doc"... I at least have an understanding of the other point of view even though I may not agree with that view. I am not going to convince you to come to "my side" of the argument, but you do need to understand that to some people that patch of grass is more important than a dog... Let it go already. "

REX wrote on Sep 19, 2008 8:33 PM:

" Mama Mia, You can't imagine the guilt I live with. "

did you know wrote on Sep 19, 2008 4:38 PM:

" I wonder if all this silly discussion will start all over again when you folks learn that there is another dog event scheduled at the ballpark later this fall?
I say good for parks and rec for trying to maximize the use of PUBLIC facilities for all. This is a cool community, people. "

Parks are great wrote on Sep 19, 2008 4:36 PM:

" Wonderin' -
Bismarck has lots of those. They're called parks. Go hang out in them. They're beautiful. "

Doc wrote on Sep 19, 2008 2:52 PM:

" OK JP - how about this one. Are marathon runners not supposed to run on the highways or streets since they have plenty of running tracks around this town? How boring would that be? Runnning a marathon around a circle the whole time. As you say it - all the tracks are being ignored for the big marathon this weekend. I'm all for the marathon on the streets and highways everyone, just trying to make a point to good ol' JP. "

MamaMia wrote on Sep 19, 2008 2:17 PM:

" REX: I'm shocked! You big meanie! "

Doc wrote on Sep 19, 2008 2:11 PM:

" I'm guessing CSense is a cat lover..... "

Wonderin wrote on Sep 19, 2008 1:30 PM:

" Drive around this city and thats all you see is ballparks. I just saw the very exquisite ballpark going up down south. Is that the only sport that is played in Bismarck. Everyone complains about the kids on Main that place down south would have made a perfect place for the teens to hang out. All I see at ballparks in town is just a huge place for adults to hang out and party in the parking lot. I never see the cops harass them like they do the kids on Main. Believe it or not not everyone loves to play ball or sports. I for one enjoy spending time with friends just hanging out outside. How about a lot where people can go to just hang out without a hassle huh?? "

REX wrote on Sep 18, 2008 12:38 PM:

" My dad had a nice yard in Bethesda, Maryland. A particular dog owner always allowed his dog to do the business in dad's front yard. I shot it in the butt with a Crossman pump up BB gun. They went away. "

get over it already wrote on Sep 18, 2008 9:14 AM:

" this is sooo stupid - at least the kennel club watched and made sure dog owners picked up the solid waste - i live in town with a nice big yard and on any given day dog owners/walkers are constently letting their dogs poop and pee in/on my yard - and i have a very nice yard - always watered and mowed and very green - i do not appreciate this habit by dog owners of other peoples property - but the kennel club kept it clean and beautiful....good for them "

Law wrote on Sep 17, 2008 1:10 PM:

" JP, the baseball field wasn't being used for anything else at the time. The dog park is an area that is not closed to public use at any time. If they had the event there then people that wanted to go there with their dogs would have been told it was closed. "

Personal discretion wrote on Sep 17, 2008 12:56 PM:

" With everything going on in this world that really matters, let's raise a stink and have a meltdown over a few dogs running in an event that is well managed and did not harm to the stupid baseball field. Some of you people need to get a life! Keep up the good work Bismarck Kennel Club and ignore these crabby people... "

IMO wrote on Sep 17, 2008 11:30 AM:

" i have to laugh..some people just are not happy if they cant complain and whine..!

i think the event sounds great and i hope you have it again next year..dogs are just amazing wonderful beings :) "

JP wrote on Sep 17, 2008 10:31 AM:

" Law- I think you provided an answer to your own questions... The dog park was provided as a place for animals to run... that is exactly what this event was... dogs running. Why close a baseball field for dogs running and not a dog park? It just makes no sense to me why the dog park wasn't used... I haven't seen an argument that, to me, holds water. I know others disagree, and that is OK... But Law, I do have to agree with you on the century fields being horrible for athletics and I am also looking forward to how the new fileds turn out. "

more CSENSE wrote on Sep 17, 2008 10:16 AM:

" I live in the country (about 10 miles), I have people that run their dogs all the time out here. They run into our yards pee and poop and leave, go on to the next tree or whatever and do there business. Or better yet how about the people that stop by in front of my house and pee by the side of the road because they have to go. Oh me Oh my what should I do get out the lysol? Big freakin deal they have to go someplace but i'm not complaining about it. The diamonds have a sprikler system that washes away any urine that is left by an animal not matter what it is. The majority of pet owners are very respectful and clean-up after the pets they own. What next they can't have the scurry shuffle because someone will be offended that an animal might pee or poo on the capital grounds or maybe the walking path by Tom O'leary. Maybe we should shut down all of the swimming pools, lord only knows what is in that water. Oh thats right they put chemicals and filters in there to clean it. This is just way funny to sit here and read all of the complaints when we have much bigger problems in our community. " "

Law wrote on Sep 17, 2008 8:59 AM:

" Jp, why not use the facility? There is nothing going on there. The dog park was put in to provide a public place for animals to run, not to close it for some kind of event. The baseball fields at century were horrible, unlevel. I played softball there once when there was a pond in the low spots that ducks used. The events held at the baseball diamond did not do any damage. The fall soccer games do not do any more damage to the field than playing spring baseball on it. Yes we do need more baseball facilities and finally Parks and Trails is providing some. "

JP wrote on Sep 17, 2008 1:50 AM:

" If you or no one you know uses the baseball field I can understand why you say... No big deal. JR, Law, and Tolerance is best... an area was provided for this type of event to take place (dog park) and it was ignored... I would bet the course could be shortened to fit in the space provided... I do not like to complain just for the sake of complaining but the lack of respect for baseball players is strong on this one... It might not be terribly harmful to the baseball field... but it was a big deal to get the dog park changed over from a ball diamond... you got your space, now use it!!! "

muniman wrote on Sep 16, 2008 10:11 AM:

" to so- i bet you hate hotdogs, apple pie, and chevrolet too huh? "

Cynical Independent wrote on Sep 15, 2008 11:39 PM:

" Actually the Century complex used to be four softball diamonds. Yes, the diamonds were not the best, however taking them out of service caused a problem in scheduling the during the high school baseball season due to there being seven teams needing to juggle the three diamonds in town. Unfortunately you do see soccer on the baseball field. It really takes a toll on the center and right field grass and almost makes it dangerous to play those outfield positions during the baseball season because of all the bad bounces the ball takes when it hits the ground. I'm not sure about this year but the baseball field has been used in the past for fall baseball by BSC. It would really be nice if the youth of Bismarck had one decent field to play on which wasn't used for other purposes. "

Amy wrote on Sep 15, 2008 7:37 PM:

" The dog park may have been a baseball diamond or softball field or whatever each person who posts on here wants to say it was, but please note that the dog park is split into numerous different areas with CHAINLINK Fence. It is all city property for all citizens of Bismarck to use. Let those that use it and take care of it have access to it. "

Joe Citizen wrote on Sep 15, 2008 7:14 PM:

" CSense:, actually if memory serves me correctly the midget football teams practice on the softball diamonds, at least when my kid played they did. If you would go out to the community bowl you would see that BOTH soccer and football field markings are on the same field. I am sure that you are upset because fireworks are shot off at the Capital grounds and the Capital grounds were not designed for that. Now for one more question, does the "c" in your name signify "cranky?" because you sound like a very cranky person if you don't see the common sense in having facilities that can be used for a wide variety of events. Remember that the dog bark park was developed because the softball diamonds there became unservicable and it provided dog owner to have a place to take their dogs to lt them run. It was not designed as a field for competive events. "

To Ms. Lane wrote on Sep 15, 2008 7:01 PM:

" Finally a decent letter with comments that make sense and clarify the whole issue. Funny how one comment can lead to a "what if" that turns to a "definite" on these blogs. Thanks for putting together a sensable and clear explanation. Some will still argue because they don't have anything else to do, but I understand now, and I think that park should be used by more people than those wearing cleats. If I want it used for the sole purpose of my own interests I'll buy the land. Your group is probably more responsible and aware of leaving it in good condition than many who play there. "

so wrote on Sep 15, 2008 2:47 PM:

" baseball is a very lame sport and im glad it's being used for something else!!!! "

Taxpayer wrote on Sep 15, 2008 2:33 PM:

" Having viewed The Bismarck Kennel Clubs events at the Civic Center in 2008 and 2009, the dogs are better trained and cared for than a lot a people take care of their children and or dogs in the Bismarck/Mandan area. They are not allowed to run loose nor are they allowed to continuously bark day after day. If an owner takes his dog outside, he/she has a plastic bag and picks up the mess and disposes of it properly. As far as excretement, how much excretement is in the swimming pools in the area? A lot. How many people right in the Bismarck-Mandan area do not pick up after their dog in the parks and the dog park? Too many. P.S. I am not a Kennel Club member but I enjoy their events because they are well-trained dogs and the event is reasonable in price. "

kev wrote on Sep 15, 2008 2:17 PM:

" My view of this whole thing is that the baseball field wasn't being used(wasting our tax dollars as usual). So, if some group of our tax paying citizens also wants to fork out some more cash to use the field and clean up their mess afterwards, why not? What's the big deal? I think it's a great way to get another source of revenue when the field is not being used for sports. "

CSense wrote on Sep 15, 2008 1:51 PM:

" JR and Law - I am upset because they have a place of their own but still refuse to use it for the intended purpose. Regardless if Century was a softball diamond or a baseball diamond...it doesn't matter because it is all one huge park for DOGS!!! Would they care if I brought two teams into that area and set up a game to play softball/baseball...I would venture to say YES! My point is that they should use the facilities that fit the event. You don't see soccer matches on baseball diamonds nor do you see football games played on soccer fields. "

fuzzy wrote on Sep 15, 2008 1:18 PM:

" " Nadine, the reason why the fun run was held at the Municipal Ball Park was because the dog park wasn't big enough, right!! If my memory is correct, didn't the dog park used to be a BASEBALL DIAMOND. Here is where is gets fuzzy for me, wouldn't the DOG PARK/BASEBALL DIAMOND have enough space to run the lure course, or was the kennel club worried about the dog's or themselves stepping in something left on the dog park field? " "

JR wrote on Sep 15, 2008 1:13 PM:

" To "Tolerance is best": Very well said!! "

Law wrote on Sep 15, 2008 1:12 PM:

" CSense, The fields at Century are much smaller than the Municipal field, as they were softball fields not baseball. Big difference. "

JR wrote on Sep 15, 2008 1:11 PM:

" To CSense: Why so angry? You need to chill out man! "

Tolerance is best wrote on Sep 15, 2008 1:05 PM:

" In a community there are going to be things and events that go on that not everyone enjoys or agrees with. If our public facilities are limited to only events that EVERYONE in the community enjoyed they would never be used and go to waste. As long as the group putting on the event cleans up after themselves and pays the appropriate fees I say great! It is wonderful that Bismarck allows a variety of events to go on at our public facilities to draw people to our community for these evenst and who knows, maybe even decide to move here and become part of our community. If you are such a stalewart and against organizations putting on any type of event, I believe there are numerous abandoned farm sites miles from any type of neighbors I am sure you could move to and live without having to worry about someone doing something you don't like! "

CSense wrote on Sep 15, 2008 11:02 AM:

" "Fifthly, the kennel club would very much like to use the dog parks for our events. However, lure coursing requires a two- to three-acre field to provide a substantial run and the dog parks are not adequately sized. We used the diamond because of space, not aesthetics." Do you realize the dog park on Century USE to be a baseball diamond until it was turned into a dog park? Seems to me the SIZE would be the same! Use your dog park and quit making excuses about it not being sufficient! "

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