Archive: Around Town

Lansing dog owners have been wishing for a place where their pets can run free in a safe, fenced area.  Last week the idea picked up considerable traction when Lansing resident Sybel Bush asked the Town Board to make the idea a reality.  This week Bush is forming a committee and beginning the work it will take to complete a dog park some time this summer.

"I am passionate about this," she says.  "I want to see it through because it will be a wonderful asset for the community.  It makes me wonder why I didn't think of this 20 years ago!"

Bush, who has two dogs of her own, got the idea while dog-sitting her daughter's dog.  Her daughter regularly makes use of the Ithaca dog park near the Hangar Theater, so Bush took the three dogs there when her daughter was away.

"I found it very enjoyable.  It's a very nice park," she says.  "You become friends with the other dog owners because the same people show up all the time.  The dogs gain social skills and have fun. It's healthy exercise for them.  But it's a 34 mile 'round trip for me."

Lansing has a comprehensive dog control law that includes a list of prohibited acts.  It says it is unlawful for dogs to run at large, and specifies that dogs must be restrained by 'an adequate collar and leash not exceeding eight feet in length' within the Village of Lansing.  In the unincorporated part of the town dogs must be 'restrained by an adequate collar and leash except when it is accompanied by its owner or a responsible person able to control it by command.'

Lansing has many acres of open space.  A 146 acre plot of land across the street from the Town Hall is slated to be the location for new residential and business development.  But none of that can be done until the Town pays New York State for the right to use the land for anything other than recreational and public community building purposes.  The Lansing Pathways Committee was able to open a walking trail there in January, 2011 because it is a recreational use.  A dog park would also meet that definition, meaning it can be built there at any time.

The facility would have a 'double entry' that helps keep dogs from escaping outside the park.  When you enter the first gate you are in the first running area with gates to another area.  This allows for dogs who don't get along well to be separated in safe running areas.  Dog waste pickup stations would be placed strategically.  There are all kinds of dog park amenities available such as benches for owners to sit on, signs, pipes to crawl on and under, and even teeter totters, ramps, and plastic hydrants.

Bush is focussing on a large, safe, fenced space where dogs can get exercise, and where dogs and owners can socialize and have fun.  She says it would be in the neighborhood of two and a half acres, leveled and covered with mulch, and contained by chain link fence.  She says chain link is practical and durable, and can be moved if necessary as the town center develops.

"I'm looking forward to a place where my dogs and everyone else's will have a safe area to play in without getting lost or being subject to ticks and being away from the road," she says.  "They can run and play have social skills that they probably wouldn't otherwise have."


While Bush lives in a rural part of Lansing, she says that it is not safe to let her dogs run free.  She says some neighbors object to dogs coming onto their property, and that her property is too close to a road.

"People think there is no speed limit on that road," she says.  "They travel up and down that road at ridiculous speeds.  It's unsettling to know that any dog or cat could be struck in the road."

Bush says the park should be located in the northwestern portion of the town land.  She hopes it can be placed near an area that is being targeted for a business and technology park, about 100 feet north of the road and away from the walking paths.

"People should have the right to walk without being hindered by any dog traffic," she says.  "You would be able to just drive up and park there. 

Bush says it will take 1500 linear feet of fencing that will cost about $30,000 to purchase.  She says volunteers will provide labor and equipment  like tractors and post hole diggers to build the park.  That makes the project similar to the Myers Park Playground Project (MP3) that was completed in June of 2010.  The Lansing Community Council led the push to raise as much as $130,000 within six months to fund the project, which was erected in large part by volunteers during an intensive 'build week'.

Community Council President Ed LaVigne has already asked Bush for a plan including the size of the park and a materials list so he could ask for donations of fencing and other materials.

Town officials are enthusiastic about the project.  Park Superintendent Steve Colt told the board it wouldn't be hard to achieve.  Bush says Highway Superintendent Jack French has offered mulch for the project and is on board to help prepare the land.  Councilwoman Ruth Hopkins said that Meadowridge Veterinary Hospital has offered to provide bags for picking up dog waste to the Trailways Committee.

"It's definitely under consideration," said Town Supervisor Kathy Miller.  "You're not the only person we've heard from.  I think it's time we got rolling.  It's a great idea."

Miller suggested forming a committee to oversee the project and the park once it is completed.  Bush is already working on finding ten or fewer people to serve on this committee.  She says the first meeting will probably be next week.

"Steve seemed to think it could be functional by the beginning of the summer," Bush says.  "But you have to be careful not to put the cart before the horse.  I want to take a little extra time and do it the right way.  I want to make sure that when they wave the green flag the checkered flag isn't far behind."

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