I agree with Zack. The real issue isn't the dogs, but the punks that hang around the park.

I've also witnessed the dog owners cleaning the park.

This has been forwarded to the Department of Public Works. Thank you.

Mayor's Office

To the Mayor's office: Please consider enforcing all the laws including the "no dogs allowed" rules. The signs were put up there with some reasoning behind them. There are big dogs running in the park too! Removing the signs will only embolden more people to let their dogs loose.

To Zack: You have listed a host of problems that occurred during the past year when there were plenty of dogs running around in the park. The presence of dogs did nothing to stop the young girls fighting, which I witnessed, nor did they stop the drug deals. (one of the dealers was walking a dog incidentally). Most of the deals occur on the surrounding streets anyway. While they do provide a presence in the park, dogs and their owners are not designated public safety officials for Morrison park. We pay taxes and have police officers with training for that purpose.

I realize that many dog owners will get defensive on this subject. I am not against dogs. I propose that the tennis court, which is not being used much these days and which is not in the best of shape be designated as a dog playground. On the other hand, it is not unreasonable to expect your average Pit Bull, Rottweiler, or German Shepherd to be on a leash when other people are in the vicinity.

I think we need an equal balance for dogs and kids to play, but what is really bothering me right now is that two people have posted about drug dealers and beatings. How safe is this park? We need to focus on the big picture here and it's to stop all the violence and crime that's going on.

Thanks for your comments Dan. We do pay taxes for police officers to enforce laws, but we also pay taxes for our public officials to be our voice and there are quite a few dog owners in the area (if you haven't already noticed.)

Okay, so I do not think that we are at odds on this issue, Dan. I think we agree that a fenced in area for dogs to run free and play would be the best solution. I in fact proposed that, myself in my initial comment.

Best Course of Action:

1) Remove "No Dogs Allowed Sign"
2) Erect a sign stating "All Dogs Must be Leashed & Dog Owners Must Pick up After their Dogs or Pay $50 Fine"
4) Designate a fenced in area for dogs to run.

Some Details on #4:

The City may or may not have sufficient funding for infrastructure projects to do the following work:

-Break up & remove the concrete in the tennis area
-Re-lay fence so dogs won't escape through gaps on current fence that has sharp rusty corners.
-Lay soft wood chips for the dogs to play on.
-Install better lighting in the fenced in area.

Cost:

It shouldn't cost more than $10,000 in labor and materials. If the City does not have the budget this FY to procure materials and pay labor costs, I'm sure (given the volume dog owners in the area) that funds could be raised.

If the Mayors Officer and City of Public Works is interested, I am a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and can provide a detailed Work Breakdown Structure, Cost Estimate, Schedule & Risk Assessment for further consideration. I am willing to assist the City of Medford in managing this effort on a volunteer/pro-bono basis.

Sorry, I guess I can't count... #4 should be #3...one of the problems with this website is that you can't edit your comments....

This is long overdue. Sign should be removed.

The Parks Commission will have to review the No Dogs Signage. I will forward this along.

Thank you.

Mayor's Office

The last thing we need is more dog crap in the park. It is for KIDS. Unleashed dogs are a threat to others. Everyone says their dog is friendly until it bites. Children take priority over animals.

Please keep dogs, especially unleased dogs, out of the parks. Owners do not clean up after them and they are not leased. The fines should be enforced.

nothing will ever be done about it