New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Madison Dog Park finally a go; may be open as early as May
MADISON — Local canines will soon have their own space to roam around, off leash, with the approval of the dog park at Salt Meadow Park, Jan. 19.
In a unanimous decision, the Planning and Zoning approved the nearly 1/2-half acre plot of land immediately to the left of the entrance of the park in a grassy area that abuts Route 1.
“Hallelujah,” said Ruthanna Terreri, who was involved when the dog park was proposed at Bauer Park in 2017.
“I think it’s great,” she said, adding that she and her Briard, Tessa, are looking forward to the anticipated opening in May.
The surface of the proposed park will be grass, surrounded by a 5-foot cedar split rail fence with weld wire mesh behind it “so that the animals can’t get out,” according to Erin Mannix, town planner.
“The fence would weather similar to the existing cedar guardrails throughout the park,” she said. “It will look a little more natural in that setting.”
Planting will be done inside and outside of the fenced area. They will be in keeping with the others in the park, which include red cedars, bayberry and various other drought and salt tolerant species.
“There’s no proposed removal of any trees,” said Mannix.
“We have decided which kinds of plants and shrubbery will go on the outside of the fence and then again, the recommendation through ACCA (Advisory Committee on Community Appearance) provided more detail for trees on the inside,” said Austin Hall, director of Beach, Recreation and Senior Services.
“They’re a little bigger and will grow quicker and be able to provide shade for not only the dogs, but for the owners as well,” he said, referring to the interior trees.
Benches will be built by Madison Girl Scouts.
There will not be separate areas for small dogs and large dogs.
The park will cost an estimated $41,000, funded through the Capital Improvement Program, with supplemental funding through the American Rescue Funds.
Hiram Fuchs of Westbrook spoke in opposition to the project at the public hearing.
“I visit this property often to walk and to observe nature,” he said, reading from a letter he sent to the commission.“I am also an amateur native plant enthusiast and have been observing and enjoying the plants on this property for some time,” he said.
“In my experience there are very few people who know what an ecological treasure Salt Meadow Park is,” he said. “With so many organizations spending time and money creating new native grass meadows, it seems counterintuitive to take a perfectly good one that already exists and destroy it. Please find a way to preserve this space.”
Madison resident Diana Hartman spoke at the public hearing and said she is looking forward to bringing her two Portuguese water dogs to the park.
“We need a spot for the dogs to go and I think that out of 20 odd acres, a halfacre isn’t going to change that much,” she said, she said in response to Fuchs’ concerns.
“I think we’re going to have a lot of visitors,” she said.
“It’s definitely big enough to handle any kind of response we get,” Hall responded.