A pet-free zone in a downtown Jersey City park? Is that possible?
With the multitude of pet owners living near Hamilton Park in downtown Jersey City and with plans to reopen the renovated park by this summer with two dog runs, some would like to see a pet-free area as well.
This coming Tuesday, March 30, the city will hold a public meeting at City Hall, 280 Grove St., at 6 p.m. regarding the establishment of a “pet-free zone” in the park between Eighth and 10th streets.
Does a pet-free zone work for residents?
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A memo from the city’s Department of Public Works lists a city code dating back to 1980 (amended in 2000) gives the Public Works director the “authority” to designate a pet-free zone in any city park.
The code also stipulates that no more than 50 percent of a park shall be designated as a pet-free zone. It must be approved by the City Council, and such a zone may be designated with signs and other markers that fit in with the “design and aesthetics” as well as enjoyment of the park. The code also calls for a public meeting to get comments on the proposed location.
But how do residents feel?
Pet-free or not pet-free
Felicia Palmer lives about three blocks from the park with her husband and two children, ages 5 and 6 months. Until the park closed for renovations, she walked her dog there.
Palmer doesn’t think it’s a good idea to designate a pet-free zone, noting that the people who use the park should take it upon themselves to monitor their own actions. She also said she has heard the issue of the pet-free zone brought by people she has had met in the park over the years, with people on both sides.
“I feel we get along very well without all this regulatory stuff,” Palmer said. “And I would hate to see signs in the park that say ‘This free zone’ or ‘that free zone.’ ”
Sam Stoia also lives close to the park and is the owner of an English bulldog terrier. Yet he is in favor of a pet-free zone, saying that dog owners walking their dogs off-leash and “running freely” are one of the reasons behind the proposal. He also noted that when the park reopens, it will have two dog runs, one for large dogs and one for smaller ones.
“Some neighbors believe that their dogs should run freely,” Stoia said, “and some neighbors want at least some area of the park designated where they can sit on the grass and not be sitting on dog feces or urine, and not worry about their children being tackled.”
Ricardo Kaulessar can be reached at rkaulessar@hudsonreporter.com.