Proposal For New Off-Leash Dog Park To Be Examined By Greenwich Board Of Health

GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich Board of Health is set to examine a proposal for a new off-leash dog park in Byram during its regularly scheduled meeting on Feb. 24.

Greenwich Parks & Recreation was given the green light by the Board of Selectmen last November to continue work on the proposal so the approval process can begin. The proposal must go through the Board of Health, Board of Selectmen, Planning & Zoning Commission and ultimately the Representative Town Meeting.

The dog park, which would be fully enclosed, is being proposed in an existing triangle space of about 11,000 square feet within the boundaries of Byram Park near the pool delivery entrance off Ritch Avenue, according to a memo from Parks & Recreation Director Joe Siciliano and Town Administrator Kate Buch to the Board of Health.

There would be pedestrian access at an existing gate from Ritch Avenue, and an ADA parking space would be added at the entrance of the dog park, the memo says.

All other dog park users would have to park and walk from the eight existing parking spaces at the front of the Byram Park that are shared between gatekeeper staff and the tennis/pickleball courts, or from the existing lot within the park.

Fresh water to the dog park would be provided by a seasonal water line from the nearby park facilities, the memo notes.

Siciliano and Buch say that the Selectman's Office, Parks & Rec. Department, and police, through the animal control officer, would be responsible for enforcement of rules and regulations to ensure safety of dog park users.

Waste receptacles, waste bags, benches and signage noting the rules would be installed at the park for users.

If ultimately approved, additional maintenance, such as gate installation and fence repairs, would be needed, the memo says.

Siciliano appeared before the Board of Selectmen on Nov. 26 to discuss the proposal and get an endorsement to continue planning work.

In that meeting, he told the selectmen the idea for a Byram dog park came from some community members who voiced support for such a facility, and First Selectman Fred Camillo added that the Byram Neighborhood Association (BNA) gave their blessing to move forward.

Siciliano acknowledged that the area "has some advantages and disadvantages," notably the parking situation. But other areas of town that have been looked at for a similar project also lack ideal parking, he said.

Also during that meeting, Camillo said the park would primarily be "a walk-up park" for Byram residents. He said Pet Pantry Warehouse, a beloved local business, would donate a $30,000 gift for the project.

On Thursday, Camillo reiterated that he's worked with the BNA on a potential dog park, and he said Pet Pantry is still committed to lending support.

"I’ve been working closely with the BNA and so far there’s been great support, but we want to make sure that we hear everybody in the town," Camillo told Patch. "I know full well that no proposal ever gets 100 percent support, so we just continue to try to address everybody’s concerns, no matter what the project or issue is."

The Board of Health meeting on Feb. 24 will be held in-person at Greenwich Town Hall in the second floor Cone Room. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m.