How is 20 to 30 dogs in the park at a time a success according to Meehan when hew was THERE at the meeting when the advocates promised up and down that they would enforce all the rules and the rule is 12 dogs max? That is a failure, not a success.

They had a paper organization that they claimed had a board, officers, meetings etc. Now that the number of dogs has become a pollution, smell and noise issue the solution they are offering is to blame it on children (WTF!) and to relax the rules they agreed to so the area wouldn't become the neighborhood nuisance that it has become.

Problem: People in there after 9 pm with scores of barking dogs? Dog park users' proposed solution: make the hours later than they promised when neighborhood agree.

Problem: Dog OWNERS' (and it is dog OWNERS bringing children) children being knocked over by dogs. Solution: Dog Park users' solution blame Children.

Problem the place has too any dog and stinks: Dog Park users' Solution, blame anyone but themselves.

Here is the REAL solution: Increase the dog license fee to $200 and actively check and FINE ANYONE with an unlicensed dog.

These dog parks are expensive use of limited city resources, I am sick of the whining by the owners. I used to eat lunch at my small local park. Due to the stink from dog urine and feces I can no longer eat lunch there.

I don't know where Meehan gets the idea it is agianst the rules for dogs to use "children's parks". he means the very small portion in parks that are children playgrounds. People with dogs can enjoy 99% of the city parks, they just can't be unleashed. Peopel without children also can enjoy citi parks including playgorund areas.

The only exclusive use areas are the dog parks.

They clearly believe dogs are equal to children from the comments at the meeting.

Uhhm, Children are citizens, dogs are not. Children, and I mean other people's children are also explicit citizens and explicit responsibilities of the polis, when it comes to educations d common recreation facilities -- dogs and other animals are not.

Everyone who signed the petition got the use of parks paid for by the rest of citizenry when they were children. No dog grows up to be a tax paying citizen and pay for the next generation.

I don't have a dog or a child but I understand my responsibility as a taxpayer to provide schools and parks for children. I have no such responsibility to pay for the creation of exclusive use areas for dogs especially in limited public space.

As I said - I'm happy to be part of an organized group with a plan. Whenever such a group surfaces, I'll be there 110%. Just not on the 'sign committee'.

Only in DC, folks.

And I'd love to get involved a coherent, transparent, well run (or at least organized) organization. I won't hold my breath, though.

http://dpr.dc.gov/dpr/cwp/view,A,1239,Q,637528.asp

The park is maintained by DPR, and the Park Rangers are DPR staff. Please make the correction.

Those of us who really do care about the park, dog behavior, and the neighborhood (you know, responsible dog owning neighbors) need to be part of an organization that has a plan. I find it hard to believe that Circle Dogs formed on the day the park opened.