Balancing innovation against deadlinesCianfrani Park Dog Owners don’t get it
After spending a day immersed in the utopian community of http://www.barcampphilly.org/ I came home to dystopian reality of dog owners in my local park. Basically Cianfrani park is a nice little community park that has been overrun by rude dog owners recently. I love dogs, having raised three. My dogs didn’t need a leash and I walked them daily off-leash, so I understand these people.
The contrast in the community is striking. At barcamp I was surrounded by people that see the web as a way for people to collaborate and communicate. These dog owners put up a site to champion their cause rather then conduct a dialog on the ‘official’ site. On the site some poster says that ‘unjust laws call for civil disobedience’. Most of the dog owners are very nice and considerate. It only takes a few bad apples to ruin a reputation. This injustice I understand since I ride a motorcycle and automatically get associated with obnoxious load harley’s and kids that recklessly weave through traffic.
Here is what I posted to the ‘dog owners’ site, maybe it was a little dramatic, but after listening to some of the people that care about this community discussing the topic I was moved to write something. Writing a blog post is the least I could do. I’ll try to do more over the next few weeks and go talk to the dog owners and see where it goes.
Leashes are required by law in the city.
There is no conspiracy against dog owners here. My neighbors have been organizing park actives in association with the city since before most of the dog owners were born. They meet regularly and openly. They meet to discuss decorating it for the holidays, they meet to discuss how to fix the dog holes, they meet to address 6 year olds that get scared on unleashed animals.
I’ve raised 3 50lb+ dogs that were all well trained and I never needed them to be leashed. BUT when a child or adult came close and looked nervously I had the respect and consideration to leash my animal as not to scare them. People are afraid of dogs. I personally don’t understand that, but I respect it.
I’ve personally asked dog owners here to control their pets and gotten snide remarks.
There are people here who care about quality of life and meet in person to manage the park. That would be a better place to have a dialogue then posting this site encouraging an ‘illegal’ activity. Civil disobedience is admirable when championing civil rights, its a little weak when it scares children.
The official site http://cianfranipark.org/
Last weekend, I was walking in Old City and there was a guy walking a large dog without a leash coming towards me. I was about 50 steps away when the dog started charging towards me, past me, and directly into the street.
Luckily the dog owner was able to catch it and usher it back to the sidewalk, but it could easily could have been a disaster. With heavily trafficed (albeit generally low-speed) streets and small sidewalks, unleashed dogs might not only be scary for kids but also dangerous for the dogs.
Are you kidding me? There are millions of sites set up for all sorts of causes, this one happens to be set-up for locals that need to voice their opinions concerning a law they feel is fair and unjust. I’m sure you’ve visited sites that have supported a cause that may be important to you but not important to others. We have the right to voice our opinion just as much as you feel you have the right to suggest we engage in a different dialogue. If you disagree with the website then simply don’t visit it.
P.S. I wouldn’t call the dog owners rude nor suggest the park is overridden by dogs either. They are harsh words and you are using them to make an exaggerated point. Stick to the truth, your point is “weak” when you make false accusations.
Hi Aaron –
As the owner/moderator of the Dog Owners website I take issue with your statement “There are people here who care about quality of life and meet in person to manage the park. That would be a better place to have a dialogue then posting this site encouraging an ‘illegal’ activity”.
The short term goal of our website is to create better communication to the dog owners regarding issues/concerns/activities of Cianfrani Park. Long terms goals are to have more city-wide, dog-related activities and information available. Nowhere on the website is ‘illegal’ activity encouraged, to suggest otherwise is ludicrous. People who post to the blog may do so of their own free will and opinion. As long as people are relatively polite and articulate I do not censor postings.
I am actively involved with the park. I have met with the Friends of Cianfrani(in person) to talk about important park issues and to help foster a better relationship between dog owners and non-dog owners. I do this on behalf of the dog owner community. If you would like to participate and help create a culture of better understanding I am available to meet in person to engage in open dialogue. Evenings work best for me and you have my email. Or perhaps I will see you at the next park clean-up!
Cheers-
Tiffanie
things are improving!
I’ve noticed lately that there seems to be fewer issues with the dogs running and people are controlling them better.
Tiffanie is correct that I’ve not been at a park cleanup in a few years so I should get out there (maybe when it warms up)