Dog park planned in Palmyra

PALMYRA – A group trying to site a local dog park will meet with selectmen Saturday morning to complete its plans before the matter is brought to a vote by town residents.

Robert Gervais of Pittsfield, one of the founders of the club For The Love of Dogs, presented Palmyra selectmen with a proposal Wednesday night to erect a fence in an area just shy of 2 acres next to the town’s baseball field off U.S. Route 2. The location is adjacent to the town garage.

The club already has purchased the fencing and will provide funding for someone to mow the area, Gervais explained. The club also will provide stands that contain waste bags and signs outlining the park rules.

“We don’t want to see [the] town add to its budget,” he said.

The club has more than 20 members and is growing rapidly, Gervais said. In addition, such parks are used frequently by those who don’t belong to the founding club.

“You could have as many as 30 dogs in there at a time or just a couple,” Gervais said. He said dog parks are most heavily used in the early morning, late afternoon and evenings, and on weekends.

Gervais said the club members have been meeting at the Palmyra site for several weeks, and about 20 dogs and their owners have been enjoying the space.

The only concern the board seemed to have was what would happen to the dog waste. Gervais explained that a rubbish can and plastic bags could be provided and that “the type of people that use dog parks are the type of people that take care of and clean up after their dogs.”

It also was suggested that the park could be a “pack in, pack out” facility where dog owners would be responsible for removing their dog waste themselves. Gervais said he will look into both options.

Gervais told the board that the club had looked at potential sites in several communities but that the Palmyra location was the best. He said the club’s members come from Dexter to Waterville, and the Route 2 location would be a central site for them as well as a place for travelers on the east-west route to take a break with their dogs.

A recent presentation to the Pittsfield Town Council was met with a cool reception. Councilors questioned whether the club was large enough and well enough established to maintain such a park. The council also did not provide any guidance about a possible park location, whereas the Palmyra board suggested several sites.

“I’m all for this,” Sheila Pooler, chairman of the selectmen, said Wednesday. “It’s a great idea.”

Selectman Michael Cray will meet with Gervais at 9 a.m. Saturday at the ball field to determine where the fence will be erected. A meeting of the dog club will take place at 10 a.m. at the Palmyra Town Hall. Anyone interested in participating is invited to attend, Gervais said.

Once all the details have been ironed out, a special town meeting vote will be held to allow the property to be used.