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Report of the Committee on Parks and Open Space
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Official Text
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEEON PARKS AND OPEN SPACEThe Committee on Parks and Open Space held a meeting on May 10, 2010, with Chairman Rebekah Gewirtz presiding and Committee Members Aldermen Maryann Heuston and Sean O?Donovan also present and voting. Also present were Administrative Assistant Matt Dias, DPW Commissioner Stan Koty, Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds George Landers, Police Chief Michael Cabral, Police Officer Leo Martini, Executive Director of OSPCD Monica Lamboy, Arn Franzen from OSPCD, Recreation Superintendent James Halloran, Stephanie Hirsch from SomerStat and interested members of the public.189260 - Uses and regulations of the various fields and playgrounds at Lincoln Park:Alderman Heuston commented on a hole in the fence at the park and about vandalism. Mr. Landers said that the fence had been cut by residents so that they could access the park with their dogs. The fence has been repaired.Alderman Heuston asked for clarification from the city regarding:? what parts of the park would be used, ? what groups of people would be allowed to use the park and? issues pertaining to dogs in the park.Mr. Halloran informed the members that the Argenziano field is locked and only teams with permits are allowed to use it. This field is used by soccer teams but there is another part of the field that is open and available to anyone. Mr. Koty told the members that dogs are to be on a leash anywhere children are present and that dogs are not allowed on ball fields or soccer fields. Dogs may be walked on a leash in common areas. Residents asked who authorized the NO DOGS ALLOWED signs to be posted at the park and Mr. Landers stated that he put the signs up, but that Mr. Koty is the determining authority for sign placement. Chief Cabral said that directed patrols are operating hourly to evaluate the situation and to ensure that dogs are leashed and not inside the park. Alderman Heuston asked Mr. Franzen to clarify the city ordinance and to inform the committee if dogs are allowed in parks if leashed. Mr. Franzen said that the city?s intent was to allow dogs to have access to parks provided they were on a leash. He will read the applicable ordinance and inform the committee. Mr. Koty told the members that if the Board of Aldermen wants to allow off leash dogs in the parks, he would work with them to accommodate their wishes.Residents told the members that the field is always locked and they complained about not having access to it. Mr. Landers explained that the field gets destroyed after it rains because of poor drainage and allowing access to the park would just worsen the situation. Mr. Halloran elaborated by saying that the problem is exacerbated by older groups of men using the field. Alderman Heuston requested that a plan or schedule be developed that would allow residents to use the field and Chairman Gewirtz asked that it be sent to the committee. Chairman Gewirtz asked what is and isn?t allowed in the park and Mr. Koty replied that the parks are available through the permitting process. Alderman Heuston wants the brochures on the city?s parks to accurately reflect what activities are allowed in the parks and to indicate where dogs are allowed in common areas on a leash.Chairman Gewirtz told those present that the next meeting of the committee would deal with dog parks and runs.No papers were acted on.