LEWISTON: Plans coming along for dog park

<!--Mark Scheer--><table width="234" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" background="http://static.cnhi.zope.net/flashpromo/niagaragazette/images/byline_234x60.jpg" height="60"><tr><td><div align="center"><font size="3" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">By Mark Scheer</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></font><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="mailto:mark.scheer@niagara-gazette.com">mark.scheer@niagara-gazette.com</a></font></div></td></tr></table>

It takes an awfully big yard to accommodate the recreational needs of three Irish wolf hounds.

And while Lewiston resident Joyce Odorczyk’s property offers her dogs Duncan, Katie and Rosie enough room to stretch their legs, she wishes she could give them a little bit more.

Like a fenced in area where they could run and play not only with each other but with other dogs their size as well.

“I’d sure like to see them out in the park at full speed,” Odorczyk said. “We would like them to be able to get out there and have the joy of seeing them run because they would be gorgeous.”

In the Town of Lewiston, as is the case in most communities, local law requires dog owners to keep their animals on a leash when they are out in the community. Odorczyk and other dog lovers like her are now hard at work on a plan to create a space in the town where pooches large and small can enjoy the great outdoors, unencumbered by any leashes.

Imagine: A park for dogs.

Molly Chamberlain, an associate at Great Lakes Real Estate in Lewiston who is spearheading the effort, said she researched dog parks in communities in other parts of the country and figured why not here?

Others agreed, leading to the formation of a new group called the Lewiston Dog Owners Group, or LDOG. Members are now circulating petitions throughout the community, hoping to gain enough support to convince local elected officials to join them in their cause. In a community with 1,600 licensed dog owners, the concept has not been a tough sell so far.

Chamberlain believes dogs and their owners deserve an off-leash site to call their own. She said a dog park offers benefits to the greater community as well as dogs who exercise regularly tend to be happier and healthier, more relaxed and less prone to aggression or creating a nuisance by barking excessively or destroying property.

“Dogs need to be around other dogs,” said Chamberlain, the owner of two poodles named P.D. and Jake. “Dogs are social animals, just like people.”

LDOG’s draft dog park proposal calls two separate areas — one for smaller dogs and one for larger ones. The proposed park areas would be enclosed by fencing with “double gate” entrances, allowing for a “safety zone” where dog owners can unleash their animals before entering and leaving. LDOG says the feature will also provide a buffer zone to prevent dogs from escape. The group’s plan also calls for a few other necessities, including a shade area, access to a water supply, seating for human visitors, waste bags, garbage cans and signs outlining rules for acceptable conduct for humans and canines alike.

LDOG members do not have a firm cost estimate for the project at this time, nor has a location been determined. Chamberlain said several potential sites are being considered. She also said dog park supporters intend to work with local officials to support the project financially, both in terms of development and ongoing maintenance.

“I think if people take ownership in something they tend to take care of it a whole lot better than if someone is doing it for them,” Chamberlain said.

LDOG members attended last week’s meeting of the Lewiston Town Board to pitch their idea to town officials. Later in the week, Supervisor Fred Newlin sat down with them to discuss the concept.

“We want people to know what the benefits are for the community because you don’t have to be a dog owner to sign up,” Chamberlain said. “We want the town to see how many people are supporting this. Basically, we just want people to go out and show their support.”

Contact reporter Mark Scheer at 282-2311, ext. 2250.