Wilderness Area Dogwalkers Seek To Reverse New No-Dog Policy

PLEASANTVILLE, NY — Dogwalkers who patronize the Hardscrabble Wilderness Area between Pleasantville and Briarcliff Manor were shocked last week to see new signs posted banning dogs from the park.

The 235-acre passive use park owned by the town of Mount Pleasant has been a popular place for people to walk their dogs for years, town resident Alan Crosswell told Patch. "My family and I have personally done so for close to 18 years now — ever since we got our first dog after years of our kids pleading and making promises to take care of it," he said. "We've made many dog and human friends at Hardscrabble and are members of a 'crew' of regulars who walk together daily."

The town had a sign posted for years saying leashes were required. Then on Thursday the sign changed: dogs were now banned.

The change occurred after aggressive unleashed dogs were reported to the Recreation Department, Supervisor Jon Petruzzelli told Patch.

"There were a few incidents out there with dogs off the leash, other dogs being attacked also patrons that were walking the trails without dogs," he said.

Crosswell has started an online petition asking town officials to reconsider. "We, the undersigned, ask the Town of Mt. Pleasant Board to reconsider this decision, which is allowed under the full text of Town Code section 83-6B:

"No dog shall be permitted to be in any park or playground even if leashed or controlled, except when specific permission is given by the Recreation Director in connection with program or activity sponsored or permitted by the Town Recreation Department (italics theirs)."

The petition, at Change.org, has 365 signatures. Crosswell plans to attend the town's June 14 public hearing on converting its Recreation and Parks Commission to a Recreation Advisory Board.