Lacey Resident Calls for Off-Leash Dog Park

Carole Reppert has two toy poodles who love Ocean County's off-leash dog park.  But, to travel from her home in Lacey Township's Pheasant Run development to Robert J. Miller Airpark in Berkeley Township takes more time round trip than she actually spends at the park. That prompted Reppert to request the township develop its own facility for dogs to run free.

"The Township has plenty of land for other things but no room for a dog park," said Reppert. "They just need receptacles and fencing for small dogs and another for large dogs."

Mayor Mark Dykoff said this has come up in the past and they've looked into it. He also has spoken with township recreation director James Wioland, who researched municipal dog parks and found most facilities of that type in New Jersey are run by counties.

"Every year we look at capital improvements and how our money is best spent," said Dykoff. "A dog park is not on the list — I'm not saying it won't be someday — but right now people can use Robert J. Miller Airpark."

One of the major issues Dykoff cited was liability. The township would need to insure a dog park and pay an attendant to monitor it. However, Reppert has suggested the dog park could be unmanned.

"The owners are responsible for picking up after their pets — and believe me, other users of the park will see that everyone picks up after their dogs," she said. "We can bring our own water for them — a supply of bags would be nice, but we can also bring our own."

"If someone comes in with an unlicensed dog that bites someone, you're liable," said Dykoff. "It would be negligent not to man it."

Ocean County operates two off-leash dog park, the one at Robert J. Miller Air Park and the second at Ocean County Park in Lakewood. 

According to the county website, people had been using the county parks to let their dogs run free but that led to conflicts with other park users. 

"Instead of banning dogs completely from the parks, it is in the best interest of all to provide a facility, which will fulfill the needs of both the dog owner and the general public," the website said.

To register a dog, owners must provide proof of a valid dog license, proof of current vaccinations, payment of the required fee and male dogs must be neutered.

Reppert said it just would be nice to have a place in town for the dogs to run off-leash.

"The owners will congregate and come on a regular basis," she said. "It would be a place to meet your neighbors."

"We try to provide recreation for all walks of life," said Dykoff. "Many people utilize the walking trail around Gille Park to interact with their dogs."

He also pointed to the Rotary Club of Forked River's first annual Doggie Derby last October, where there were many different dog activities, including a dog costume parade.

"We have a list of many things that have been requested, but only a number of resources," said Dykoff. "If it's something people want, nothing is off the table."