Since it is so heavily used as an off-leash area by so many people, why not just declare it an official dog park?

As long as dog owners bring bags to pick up waste and parents know not to let their children roll in the grass we are OK! Bark On!

I don't have a problem if it's a dog park or not, but it's the city's decision.....not a bunch of residents that just decide they are going to do what they want to do.

I love dogs and have a dog myself. However, I would never allow my little guy to run buck wild at this park unless there is a proper fenced off dog park area. Plus, at this point, I can't even take my dog there on a leash for a lawful outing because of all the lawbreaking dogs that race up and challenge my dog to play. My guy is at a distinct disadvantage in this scenario because we is on a leash. My only recourse is to stay away from the park. We go out to Gwinnett County that has a beautiful facility with segregated play areas (small dog and large dog fenced, well maintained areas) and our money. At least Gwinnett County knows how to design/build/maintain a dog park for its residents.

I really wish Brookhaven could get it together.

The suggestion that the city just declare Brookhaven Park a dog park since people are using it that way already simply rewards the lawbreakers. NOT COOL,

I'd prefer to see some fenced off areas for dogs as well. It's fine to have a dog park section within the park but since the green space in the park is quite large I'd like to see other non-dog related uses for it.

I dont mind a section of the part being a dog park, Its nice for the dogs to be unleashed and have an open space to run around in, but it should be separated from the rest of the park where kids can play or families can have picnics without the concern of a dog running up to them. Its a really large area so I'm sure it can be split up so everyone can enjoy the park equally.

It's a shame I live a block away from this park and cannot take my two year-old because of the considerable number of off-leash dogs. Brookhaven should either enforce the existing leash laws or deisgnate a fenced-off portion as a dog park.

Clarification for Kay Wolfe and all Brookhaven residents regarding city management and ownership of the parks...

As discussed last night at the city council meeting, the parks were supposed to have been purchased, and title transferred from DeKalb long ago. However, the day before the new city took over the management of the parks last fall, DeKalb signed a long term lease with the group that leases the facility at Brookhaven Park. Also, DeKalb did not authorize an Environmental study to be performed as required under state law, before a park property can be purchased or transferred.

Once DeKalb ultimately released authorization late in the fall, the environmental studies were performed. It was discovered that 3 of the parks have possible environmental contamination, making it illegal for the park property to be transferred until the contamination is remediated. The city wanted to purchase the parks with no contamination and with no long term lease agreements that prevent the city from managing, improving and owning the park property. However, DeKalb decided to not transfer any parks unless all parks are transferred.

As a result, the city still doesn’t own the parks and can only merely cut the grass and perform other negligible management activities at this time. Last night it was reported that after performing more extensive environmental work, only 1 of the parks has contamination that might present a hazard to people utilizing the park. As a result, the city authorized the city attorney and manager to attempt to purchase all the parks, except the one prohibited by the lease agreement, and for the other park with the contamination to parcel out the area with the contamination until it the contamination is remediated. However, if DeKalb still wants to make the transfer contingent upon the ability to transfer all park properties, the transfer will not take place for some time.

Until title transfer occurs, the city will not own the parks, will not have the ability to improve them except for cutting grass and only negligible management activities.

I am tired of trying to avoid the dogs that run loose at this park. My little dog is on a leash, but we are soon surrounded by eight huge, excited dogs. It is frightening. Punish the law breakers by making them erect a fence around an area that is just for loose dogs. Then the rest of us can enjoy the park, have a picnic, take a nap in the sun, or even dare to bring small children to this park. Until then, I will go to Skyland Park and walk in peace.

Jeff, during the past year and a half our city manager has continually set dates for park purchase completion that have not been met. The bottom line is that a seasoned, experienced city manager would have known the details of acquiring our parks and would have taken the bull by the horns and efficiently resolved our parks purchase issue. Continuing to blame DeKalb is simply getting old. As someone that has worked so hard over the past two years prior to city incorporation I would think you would demand more from our city council and the high priced city manager they continue to support with her deficient job production for our city.

This issue has been acknowledged by the City of Brookhaven and is being investigated for resolution. Your service request ID is 1116943. Thanks for reporting and please check back here for additional updates about your issue.

City of Brookhaven City Manager's Office assigned this issue to City of Brookhaven Code Compliance

So who is charged with rule enforcement in the park, the city or county police? Who do we contact to hand out citations to owners whose dogs run off leash?

Unfortunately Betty, while there might be someone that has the ability to write citations, the likelihood of it actually occurring is zero.

Thanks Rick for your comment. Based on my experience and first hand knowledge, I don't think anyone, anywhere, could have accomplished this any faster. One of the primary reasons I worked so hard for 2 years to create the new city, is the dysfunction and corruption of DeKalb. Rather than "do the right thing" and serve constituents, many county employees and some officials prefer to go out of their way (in this case for what they perceive as retribution) to not "do the right thing" and serve constituesnts.

As a result, it is not a surprise when DeKalb refuses to transfer the parks. Rather than clean up their own house, some people prefer to continue to attempt to bring their dysfuction into our back yard. An option would be to file suit, but that could possibly only delay the process. The mayor and council told Marie and legal counsel Tuesday to go back to DeKalb and demand transfer of the parks immediately, with the exception of the parts of Brookhaven Park and Lynwood Park that cannot be transferred at this time because of the lease and environmental contamination. We will see how they respond.

Jeff I appreciate your first hand experience with this issue. You may be too close to the issue, city leaders and management to interpret the history of this issue and how it should actually have been handled by our city representatives. Yes, in the past ten years DeKalb leadership has gained a reputation for being dysfunctional and corrupt, but in some regards Brookhaven leadership, in its short history, is earning a similar reputation.

Maybe Brookhaven leadership should have used legal action against DeKalb; they seem to excel in being known as the most litigious municipality in the area. Do you really think continuing to throw stones at DeKalb is a positive contribution to the future of our region of DeKalb County? I don’t. What governing body wants to join hands in a future regional governmental program with such a fault finding litigious city governed by vitriolic leaders and leading citizens?

Just for the record, as a Brookhaven resident I deal with DeKalb regularly in several departments professionally and privately as I have always and I find the vast majority of DeKalb employees to be polite and efficient. This is in spite of their knowing that I am a Brookhaven resident. I am sorry your business with DeKalb is not as positive.

SeeClickFix service request audit initiated. Issue ID 1116943 still in ACKNOWLEDGED status. Submitted request to Code Compliance to provide status update.

I have seen Dekalb County Police issue citations at Brook Run Park for off-leash dogs, and there's even an off leash dog park there! What is wrong with people?
I have also seen Cobb County Police issue citations for off leash dogs at the Chattahoochee River Park. So why not in Brookhaven! We have a very capable police force. Children are put in danger. This is obviously a safety issue, and the citations can generate money for the city! My dog is always on a leash, and is very protective of me when another dog approaches. Will I be held accountable if my dog tears an off-leash dog's ear off or opens a jugular vein with his very sharp teeth?

Yes you will be held accountable. It is your responsibility to make sure your dog does not attack people or other animals. If you cannot control your dog, it should not be allowed in public. You will most likely be financially and legally liable for any injuries and/or damages your dog inflicts. If your dog is then legally determined to be a viscous animal, the authorities will probably be forced to put the animal to sleep.

This one issue where dog lovers and dogophobics can work together. Lets all lobby for a portion of Brookhaven Park be fenced off and designated an off-leash dog area. The park is big enough.
No reason for any group of citizens to have their enjoyment of the park curtailed simply to satisfy the wishes of other groups who want to use the park in different ways. There is enough park there for everybody. This is one "problem" that can easily be solved with a sturdy fence.
I doubt Robert Frost had dog playgrounds in mind when he wrote "Good fences make good neighbors," but hey ....... its an adage to keep in mind.
David George
Sylvan Circle

There is plenty of park for everyone to enjoy.

There is plenty of park for everyone but if off-leash dogs are free to approach both children and on-leash dogs through the entirety of the park, that's a problem. Why can't people 1) respect the existing leash laws of the park, 2) take their dogs to sanctioned dog parks, and 3) work to get a section of Brookhaven Park designated a dog park.

Fencing an area of the park and designating it an off-leash area is the best solution. I'm thinking the meadow beyond the picnic shelter. Plenty of room in that park for everyone. And for new uses. (Tennis courts, anybody? How about a soccer field?. Or a ball diamond? AND a dog park.)

I know - if you see someone who has a dog off-leash, approach them as ask for them to put their dog on a leash so you can play in the park with your child. Message boards are great, but when did people stop talking to one another? Be the solution, not just another voice...

York55, I've tried nicely asking people to put their dogs on leashes and gotten some not so nice words thrown back at me in return. My solution has been to avoid using the park I live two blocks from.

Give it a rest, people. By now everybody is aware that there needs to be a fenced area where dogs can run off-leash without bothering anybody. Somebody needs to push this issue, even if it means dog owners chipping in to pay for the darn fence (perhaps a necessity, since the City apparently doesn't feel it can claim ownership of this particular park..) There ought to be tax money available to build a fence, but the city has opted to spend on other things like a tourism department and cherry trees. I was prepared to take up the cause myself, but we are leaving the neighborhood very soon, so no sense starting something I won't the around to follow through on.
David (Pick Up Your Poop) George.

I'd actually hope that the city can just convert the whole park to a dog park instead of some small fenced in area like Brook Run or Piedmont in which too many dogs are crowded together resulting in many fights and a lot of dog poop on the ground. I used to go to Brook Run but stopped after one very scary time where I was approached by a bull mastiff and all of his buddies as I was leaving with my dog on leash. I also grew tired of scraping the poop off my shoes after every visit. This has been my experience with most dog parks - the area is too small and I think it contributes to people being lazy and either not watching their dogs closely or not picking up after them because "it's a dog park". We have been going to the Brookhaven Park with our dog for 7 years. Back when we started going, the park was not safe to walk in alone as there were often homeless, drunk or drugged people hanging out as the park is close to Marta and set back from the street. I think this is what allowed the "dog people" to take over as no one else used this park, however this also really helped clean up the park and it no longer seems like an unsafe place. I would never have ventured over there with my 2 year old before the dogs took over. It was too scary and there really isn't any playground equipment.

I also wanted to point out that I actually think this park is a "gem" and closing it down or segregating off a small portion for dogs would be a detriment to the city. We know so many people that have moved to Brookhaven because of this park and we ourselves have mentioned that we wouldn't leave Brookhaven because of this park. We also know many people that drive from other areas to use the park and then shop at City Dog Market, gas stations, grocery stores, etc. It's also become a community where we have seen multiple couples meet and marry, people make best friends or simply just get some time to play frisbee with their dog after a long day.

We have a very active dog who unfortunately is not fulfilled with an on leash walk. I wish he was because it would make our lives so much easier, but we adopted him and we need to take care of him and his needs. As a dog owner, I know I am not in the minority in Brookhaven where it seems like almost everyone owns a dog and everyone enjoys spending time with their dog. I really hope the city considers both sides of this issue.

SECOND REQUEST: SeeClickFix service request audit initiated. Issue ID 1116943 still in ACKNOWLEDGED status. Submitted request to Code Compliance to provide status update.