Dog Ban In Fanwood Parks Voted On By Council

FANWOOD, NJ — After months of debate, the Fanwood Borough Council voted to reverse a 20-year-old ordinance that banned dogs from Borough parks.

The council voted 5-1 in favor of allowing dogs in local parks. Councilwoman Patricia Walsh was the lone “no” vote.

The amended ordinance will go into effect immediately, and there are now numerous requirements for residents who wish to walk their dogs in LaGrande Park, Forest Road Park and Carriage House Park.

According to Information Officer Tom Kranz, the dogs must be visibly licensed and owners must follow the existing ordinance requiring them to pick up any dog waste.

However, dog are prohibited from playing fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, the pickleball court and the skateboard area. Dogs are also prohibited from the children's play areas.

Resident Phyllis Mahoney spoke out against the amended ordinance at Monday's meeting. She questioned how the new rules would be enforced and by whom.

"The parks are really made for our children," Mahoney said. "These children deserve a clean and safe environment to play in."

Mahoney even showed the council numerous photos of dog droppings in Forest Road Park and children playing in those same spots.

Councilwoman Walsh also reiterated her opposition to reversing the ordinance.

"We have a very small town, we have very small parks," Walsh said. "I believe that instead of worrying about dogs' rights ... we should really be thinking about the people and the children and everyone that uses the parks. I know some people may think dogs have the same rights as residents; I do not agree."

On the flip side, resident Carolyn Brink spoke out in support of the amendment, testifying that there are many dogs in Fanwood and their owners have as much of a right to use the parks as anyone else.

According to Kranz, in a previous meeting, Brink presented a petition with hundreds of signatures from residents who she said supported the amendment.

Councilwoman Francine Glaser also explained her "yes" vote for the ordinance.

"I vote for the bill in its current iteration because I think it will provide safety to kids who play in the park [and] to the residents who are ... playing games on the fields," Glaser said. "This is for a regulation of safety."

Council members who voted for the amendment vowed to reassess its effectiveness after a year.

"It's not a closed issue once this [passes] tonight," Council President Anthony Carter said.

In related business, the council approved a resolution providing around $215K for new playground equipment for LaGrande Park.

Kranz said it also extended the grace period for third quarter tax payments, since the tax rate for 2022 hasn’t yet been set by the county. The new grace period will be printed on tax bills when they finally go out.

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