This article was updated on Oct. 3 at 12:10 a.m. to provide the correct spelling for William Dailey.
Dogs in Rye Town Park have a lot to bark about.
Following months of debate, the Rye City Council voted unanimously to extend off-leash dog hours at the park by an additional hour during the off-season.
Council members had hesitated to expand off-leash hours to 10 a.m. because of concerns over enforcement and safety, but ultimately agreed to the extension after hearing from residents who praised the dog-loving community built around the park’s friendly confines.
Since 2014, Rye’s off-leash hours officially were 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the off season, which runs from around October through April. But in recent years, the Rye Town Park Commission, operating under different rules, had allowed dogs to remain off leash in the park until 10 a.m. in the off-season. The Rye City Council recently decided to enforce its own 9 a.m. curfew, but agreed to reconsider at the request of residents.
Since the issue first appeared on the council’s agenda in June, the city has heard from both Rye Town Park commissioners and residents about enforcement concerns. Rye Town Park Commission President Gary Zuckerman pointed to “numerous reports of out-of-control dogs not confined to the areas of off-leash play,” along with a lack of enforcement of permit requirements, off-leash hours, and the designated off-leash area.
Zuckerman even mentioned that commissioners had been caught violating the rules.
“Whatever action the City Council takes with regard to the proposed amendment, it should ensure that resources are allocated to enforce the ordinance,” Zuckerman said. “It is important that the council and commission work in concert on this issue, as on all other issues that affect all of our communities.”
Rye Town Park is cooperatively governed by the town and city of Rye.
Democratic Councilwoman Jamie Jensen, a former park commissioner, urged the council to vote down the measure when it was discussed at their August meeting. At the time, she said further enforcement measures were needed to be put in place first, and also cited damage to the grass and park ground due to romping canines.
Jensen, however, ultimately relented and voted for the extension on Sept. 17.
“Until we take care of some of these bigger issues, to just go ‘Oh, it’s only an hour,’ is not respecting” Zuckerman, Jensen said. “This has nothing to do with the wonderful people who come to the park every day and, for the most part, follow the rules.”
In prior years, enforcement of park rules fell to the Rye police, but Rye Town Park Commissioner Emily Hurd, a former councilwoman, said the city found that to be a waste of resources during rush hour and school drop-off times.
The City Council replaced the police presence with a park ranger a few years ago, though questions still remain about how to best ensure consistent oversight in the off season.
The vote to extend the off-leash hours comes months after a string of dog attacks across the city, which left one resident injured and prompted calls for stricter enforcement of leash laws in Rye.
Despite those concerns, many residents spoke about the social and community benefits of extending off-leash hours for man’s best friend. Longtime resident John Hunt, who frequents the park, said he has come to know many neighbors through morning dog gatherings.
“Over my years of off-leash dog play, I have become a part of a very nice community of people who enjoy gathering to get to know each other, share stories about their lives, and generally enjoy being part of the community,” Hunt said. “I believe it’s important for the council to understand that the off-leash park hours are as much for the people as for the dogs.”
Some residents also noted that extending hours later into the morning makes it easier for parents juggling their children’s school drop-off obligations to participate. William Dailey said most parkgoers are respectful of the ranger’s guidance when the leash requirement begins at 9 a.m.
“Going to Rye Town Park with the dogs is special for them and it’s been special for me, I’ve met some of the nicest people,” Rye resident Randy Stone added. “There are not that many places anymore where people in communities just connect naturally without saying ‘Let’s have lunch or let’s do that,’ but it happens.
“The dogs give you a great excuse and it’s good for both dogs and people.”
Resident Karen Grenucci, however, was adamantly opposed to the measure when she criticized the proposal at an August council meeting, pointing to safety concerns for both dogs and their owners. She said she stopped visiting the park after five years because her dog was repeatedly attacked.
