Belmar Dog Park Nixed

The borough of Belmar has nixed a proposal to build a dog park in Maclearie Park.

Months of planning by a citizen's committee culminated in a public hearing lasting nearly two hours on Wednesday evening, where supporters and opponents of the proposed park made their case to the mayor and council.

The proposal would have created a 100 by 150 foot fenced in area for dogs to recreate in the southwest area of the park. The dog park committee's plan would call for it to be closed on weekends and on holidays during the summer and would have imposed a nine dog at a time limit. Volunteers would help to maintain the grounds and educate dog owners on the rules of the park.

Maclearie Park is a large recreational area built with state Green Acres funds that runs between the Shark River and the River Road section of Route 35. The park extends south from the L Street beach and includes an athletic field formerly used for recreation soccer, a playground area and tennis courts. 

Beyond that extends an area of open grass with shady trees, picnic tables and charcoal grills. It is in this area, which proponents of the dog park characterized as "underutilized," that the park would have been built. A river walkway runs the length of the park along the Shark River.

Dogs are currently allowed in the park as long as they are leashed.

"We're going to run this as civilly as possible," Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty said at the beginning of the 6 p.m. council workshop, explaining that each side of the issue would be given 15 minutes to make their case. From there, proponents and opponents took turns speaking for three minutes each.

Dozens attended the meeting with the room evenly split between supporters and dissenters.

Leading the dog park committee was 5th Avenue resident Susan Gerber, who began her mission to see a dog park built in the borough as a memorial for her late husband, Paul Danzak. The park would receive funding from a fund established in his honor.

"I didn't come here to cause any ill will," Gerber said, in her opening remarks. "I just wanted to give back something nice to the town."

Gerber went on to explain many of the benefits she and her committee felt a dog park would create.

Proponents explained that a safe, enclosed environment for dogs to exercise off-leash is vital to canine health. Well-adjusted dogs who socialize are less likely to be angry or aggressive, Gerber explained.

Gerber and other supporters felt that the dog park would help to make Belmar a destination, would stimulate local business and help to foster a sense of community.

"Dog parks bring people together and create a sense of community," she said.

Gerber also reported the results of a survey conducted by the dog park committee. There were 166 total responses with 156 in favor of the park. Of those respondents, 104 were Belmar residents.

Many of those opposed to the park are residents of the section of town nearest to Maclearie Park, commonly referred to as the Rhode Island Point section.

Belmar resident Kyle Rizzitello spoke first on behalf of the opposition, laying out the issues and concerns held by those who do not support the proposal.

Rizzitello explained that in fully-developed Belmar, Maclearie Park is one of the few remaining open, green spaces in town that can be utilized by the public.

"This area is already in full use," she said. "We need to keep Maclearie Park green and clean."

Opponents of the proposed park worry about the possibility for insurance and liability issues, should a dog bite another dog or a person. They worry that maintenance of the park would put a strain on the borough's department of public works and that patrolling the park may do the same to the Belmar Police Department.

Environmental concerns were also addressed, with the issue of pet waste runoff into the Shark River being paramount. Members of the Belmar Environmental Commission were among those opposed to the plan for that reason.

Neither supporters nor opponents were aware of the potential ramifications that changing the use of the park would have on it's Green Acres status. Nor could anyone speak to the possible need for Department of Environmental Protection permits. In coastal areas, construction is typically governed by the state Coastal Area Facilities Review Act.

Opponents of the park did a public survey of their own, gathering 118 signatures from residents, primarily of the Rhode Island Point section, who opposed the park.

After dozens of audience members on both signs of the debate were given a chance to voice their opinions, the governing body had to come to a decision.

"I hope everyone thinks we were fair," Doherty said.

The mayor's statement was met with seemingly unanimous applause suggesting meeting attendants agreed with the format and felt it was conducted fairly.

Councilman Brian Magovern did not support the park.

"Not everybody is a good dog owner," Magovern said. "It only takes once for an accident to happen."

"I really don't see the economic value of a dog park," he added, noting that dog owners would not leave their pets locked in cars while patronizing Belmar businesses.

"If we had the right undeveloped area in Belmar I'd be all for it," Magovern said, "but I just don't see it."

Councilwoman Claire Deicke has been a supporter of the park since its inception and has worked with the committee throughout the planning and proposal process.

"For many towns they have become centerpieces," Deicke said.

"I would support nothing that would be harmful to this town," she added. "I believe the dog park will work in Belmar."

"I see it as an opportunity to put an amenity in town that many people would enjoy," Councilman Richard Wright said in voicing his support for the park.

"Fears are not facts," he said in reference to some concerns voiced by those opposed to the park.

Councilwoman Jennifer Nicolay, who eventually voted no, called the dog park the "toughest issue" she has faced since being appointed to the council in January.

"It's a pretty small amount of land," she noted. "Who's to say if it's utilized or underutilized?"

"I thought if we made it smaller there would be less opposition," Doherty said. "I was wrong."

"I don't see how, as a town, we can move forward on something that is so divisive," the mayor said.

A vote to draft an ordinance establishing the dog park was defeated by the governing body in a 3-2 vote.