Nearly half a century ago, a promotional brochure for economic development in Bristol featured a pretty little waterfall in a picturesque little valley.
Crystal Glen, it said, was one of Bristol’s wonders.
Now it’s nearly forgotten, a piece of Rockwell Park that’s rarely visited and little remembered.
But that could change.
Members of the city’s Park Board are eyeing the area for fenced-in dog park that would allow dogs large and small to romp through the woods just east of the glen.
Though it will remain possible to visit Crystal Glen without going through the dog park, it’s not likely to remain quite the same quiet spot that it’s become over the years.
The dog park, pushed by a group called Bristol Area Residents for K-9s, or BARK, would have two separate areas with one devoted only to small dogs. It would be on the lower, flatter section closer to the road.
The group has raised more than $10,000 to pay for fences and other dog park needs.
The plan calls for using the parking lot near the existing footbridge over the Pequabuck and to have to have the dog park beside it.
“I’m trying to stay away from the river,” said Cindy Donovan, a park commissioner. “My whole concern is the river.”
Donovan said she’s worried about runoff from dog droppings causing water quality problems for the river.
Cuss Gutter – which apparently got its name from frustrated men trying to put in the railroad line that still crosses the brook just north of the park – runs through the small valley and eventually on to the Pequabuck River on the other side of the park road.
Park Director Ed Swicklas said he wants to ensure the dog park doesn’t block access to Crystal Glen and the woods beyond it.
The plan allows for future expansion of the dog park if advocates are able to raise more money down the road.
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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
26 comments:
What a waste of taxpayer money.
A dog park? You have got to be kidding!
couldn't agree with 7:50 more: this is a total waste of taxpayer money. what's this dog park going to cost, and shouldn't the money go to... i don't know... patch and pave the streets?
even if we weren't in dire economic times, i question the propriety of turning crystal glen into a dog park. shouldn't the loveliest piece of land in all of bristol be used for a people-type park, where individuals can explore nature's beauty free of worries that some unleashed, poorly trained canine is going to jump our young children? sorry, just not that into strange dogs, especially around my kids.
I wish people would see that if there is a dog park, as in other town, that it would bring busniness to our restaurants and local shops. It sounds like BARK has raised the money for the fence on their own. You would still be able to enjoy the surrounding area because the dogs would be in a fenced in area as it said in the article. Plus, 9:47, do you actually go into the woods around the area they are citing? Maybe having the dog park would start to bring more to people to an area that is not utilized for any means. Maybe between the skate park, which everyone thought was a bad idea, and the dog park, Rockwell Park will return to its glory that it once had. Everything in Bristol is slowly dying. I think people would be happy doing anything necessary or possible to bring life, business and money to our city.
Did you even read the artcile before commenting? Hello?????
It is not the taxpayers who are setting this up, but the non-profit group that is funding it.
The area will be fenced in -so unless you let you little kids in there - they shouldn't be jumped on.
I say go for it! People who use this will take care of it. It is not owners who let there dogs already roam everywhere that give all dogs a bad name. I think you will find most responsible dog owners also clean up after their dogs.
If a "Cat House" is put next to the dog park, then the city will have a place worth visiting, and will add to the tax base. LOL
Maint. of this dog park will be the park dept. which is taxpayer money - hello!
They have a 47 acre dog park already on the Roberts property - do they need another one?
I am sick and tired of dog owners.
Walk the Boulevard any night and you will count a dozen people walking their dogs, large and small, and not collecting the droppings.
Nice way to honor our veterans and maintain our beautiful linear park you pigs.
Cindy Donovan is afraid of dog excrement washing into the river, as she should be. But if people cleaned up the droppings, there would be no issue.
People who own dogs, large, small or even multiple dogs should not own them if they have no place for their dogs to relieve themselves.
I am tired of dodging dog turds on the sidewalks along the boulevard or in other parks or even on my own street.
We should all get the addresses of these so called "responsible" dog owners and then we can go crap on their front lawns.
I am sick of it I tell you.
Disgusted by irresponsible dog owners.
Hello again! Parks would still have to maintain it if no dogs - what is the differnce? The non-profits can kick in a stipend.
If they don't, the fence can come down.
First, you people who do not have a clue, shouldn't comment. The money is being raised by BARK. Not you tax payers. So QUIT it.
Second, I am a responsible dog own, multi dog owner, and I pick up my dogs mess everywhere I take them and SO DOES everyone on the BARK membership board. Its in our rules.
Third, don't want your kids to be run over by our dogs, then DON'T ENTER the FENCED in AREA. Well that was a simple solution.
Forth, Bristol does NOT HAVE a current dog park. Roberts Property is not BARK's. There is no dog park there. Its just a place where dog owners are allowed to walk their dogs on a leash. We attempted to get this property, but where turned down.
So before you speak, read the facts. Go to the monthly meetings and hear us speak.
I would love if the park dept. would ban dogs from all parks once the dog park is up and running. Mainly on the boulevard - how about animal control sitting there and giving people fines for letting their dogs crap all over.
"Go to the monthly meetings and hear us speak."
Speak! Roll over! Give me your paw! Play dead!
You "dog people" are spending way too much time with your mutts! LOL
If the park is paid for by private contributions, can the city close it down if it is misused?
How much will it be costing the city 9taxpayers) annually to maintain it?
3:16pm Who are you kidding?? Walk your dogs on leash at Roberts? How stupid do think people are - NO DOGS UP HERE ARE ON LEASHES - THEY RUN FREE - so how is that being a responsible dog owner? The big problem is you people want the city to take care of your dogs social life - lets take care of the kids and people in this town before catering to you and your dogs.
pooper scooper! pooper scooper! pooper scooper!
I am disheartened by how much hate is out there. The lack of correct information and ignorance out there is wider spread than I thought. All we can do is try to educate people, and those who are true haters will never change their minds. I'd also like to see this "most beautiful part of Bristol" that no one is visiting on a regular basis. Taxes are taxes - I have no children, yet I have to pay school taxes, the recreation dept keeps up many ball fields and playgrounds that I will NEVER use, visit or enjoy, yet I pay money for it. For me, that is a waste of MY money, yet I have to accept it as it is just a part of owning a home in any city or town. Hello? You are already paying taxes on the Rockwell Park property for an unused, blocked off, overgrown with weeds/bushes/trees, fallen trees, broken branches, and littered debris from teenagers and unsavory people who use that area for illegal or undesirable behaviors.
Did those people complaining about the Boulevard walkers ever consider that if they had a dog park to take their pets to so they can run free, interact with other dogs and learn proper social skills, perhaps there would be less waste along the sidewalks? There are no available receptacles to throw away waste along the street that I have ever seen, however, I do not walk there, so I could be wrong about that. But, driving along, I do not see any corner garbage cans or waste bag receptacles anywhere. When you have to go, you have to go. Sometimes, dogs go twice due to the exercise because it promotes bowel movement. It is not uncommon, and most responsible owners carry a bag with them. Once used, it's very difficult to re-use. I have cleaned up others' waste when I've seen it along the path at Robert's, just like many of the other BARK members. Do not judge all dog owners because there are some irresponsible owners out there. I have run out of bags before, sometimes dogs go more than once - don't we all? - and actually drove or walked back to the spot to pick it up after returning home to get another bag. BARK members are tough on others who walk their dogs at Robert's Property - you can bet I'll say something to you or offer you a bag if your dog has done it's business while you watched and did nothing after the fact. We frown on this behavior.
CONT'D...
What about you cat people who let your cats outside? I do not see any of you following your cat around the neighborhood cleaning up after it's feces. My neighbors have had cat feces in their children's sand boxes, yards, garage areas...I have a cat who consistently comes into my carport, jumps on my brand new car, walks down the front of the windshield and hood leaving paw prints and has scratched the hood on my $30,000 vehicle. No leashed (or loose, as a matter of fact) dog has ever done this as far as I know. Disease and parasites are transferred so easily, and on top of it, many cats are not spayed or neutered, only adding to this country's pet overpopulation. This outrages me, but I would not ever deny cat people a spot to properly exercise and play with their cats in a safe, contained environment.
It isn't about having enough property of your own to have a dog - in order to have a happy, healthy, well-behaved pet you need to socialize it as much as possible, expose it to people, situations and animals of all sizes, types, and shapes. Dogs need to play like dogs - they run and chase, mouth each other, tug on sticks and toys, teach each other boundaries and manners...as a trainer and behaviorist I can't express how important these types of stimulation, exercise and play are. How would your kids behave in public if they never went to school or never met another kid...if they were solely confined to your house like a prisoner, not even allowed to walk down the sidewalk? Terrified? Anxious? Confused? Even causing permanent emotional damage? You bet. Animal cruelty cases, just as child abuse and neglect cases are based on similar situations.
If anyone were to look at the site we are proposing - you would see it is completely overgrown, not the best conditions for a dog park due to the uneven ground, full of waste and rubbish from being neglected all of these years. We will have a tremendous amount of work to do to clean up the area to make it presentable and safe before we can use it. Our small group has worked our butts off trying to help raise money for the fencing. Our members have spent dozens of hours of time, money, baking, standing out in all kinds of weather, emailing, putting up flyers, removing flyers, educating people about dogs and the need for a place for us to feel safe taking our dogs to in order to keep them happy and healthy. The city hasn't offered 1 dime to help us create our dream of having a dog park. We are passionate about this, and with so many other towns and cities in CT having quite successful dog parks added to their communities it has only done their area good. In fact, we have asked for considerably less than most towns have and have been quite conservative with our proposals.
CONT'D...
Some dog parks out there are just plain spectacular, and when people travel through those towns they make comments on how wonderful the parks are. When I travel, I specifically look for places to stop that have dog parks. Bristol loses out on that extra traffic right now.
Bristol has more ball fields that I can count, and only a certain categorty of people can use - I pay taxes for all of them. We are asking for 1 spot - 1 safe place - 1 enjoyable place where we aren't criticized by those who dislike dogs - 1 area where we don't feel like we are in others' way and have to cross the street because we see the look of disapproval on your face from a block away. That is the most hurtful, uncomfortable feeling a stranger can place on another person. It is discriminatory, ignorant, and unreasonable hate in some cases. I am just as disgusted when I see areas marked with feces that unresponsible people haven't picked up - it angers me because it can be a health hazzard, is just plain gross, and mostly because it sends the wrong message about most dog owners who are responsible.
Our pets are like our children, and we pay good money to properly care for them; including holistic dog food or homecooked supplemental food, proper medical care, insurance, training classes, giving them proper exercise and social skills so that they are happy and healthy, and much more. Many of the members also have children. I myself, can not have children - my dogs are my family. And I wouldn't want it any other way. Don't get me wrong - I love kids. I work with disadvantaged, abused and neglected kids who are dificult to serve. They are the ones lost in the system and many don't have families to support them using the very many ball fields here in Bristol. In fact, they all respond positively to animals, especially dogs. They are an invaluable tool in touching a child's heart and mind by teaching them love, respect, responsibility, patience, acceptance, confidence, and the ability to trust again. In some cases dogs are better teachers and example setters than many parents. Many times I have taken children to a dog park and they have the best time ever. Nobody was run over or scared. In fact, some have told me it was the best time they ever had! They learned about the responsibiIity of owning a pet, picking up after it, playing with and exercising it, as well as getting exercise themselves. On the flip side, I have taken kids to "family" parks where I see parents changing their toddlers and leaving the dirty diapers on the ground, tossing them in the woods, or letting kids urinate on the park property instead of taking them to the available facilities, or leaving trash all over when all they had to do was get up and walk 25 feet to throw it away in the provided trash cans. Children in inappropriate clothing, shoes, or lack of. Parents too busy smoking, gossiping, and behaving inappropriately instead of watching their children. I've seen a handful get injured and the parents/responsible adults not even notice until the kid is screaming and blood is everywhere. Should we close parks because of irresponsible adults? Refuse to build anymore? These are just plain irresponsible people - regardless if they have pets or not.
The whole purpose to have a dog park is for the responsible dog owners to have a place to share and be among others who feel the same way. This also will give another outlet so people don't have to rely on street sidewalks so much, therefore cutting back on waste left behind. The dog park will have plenty of bags and receptacles to properly dispose of waste. Currently, we have a wonderful box at Robert's that was made and donated to us to hold plastic bags to keep the area clean. We all add bags at different times when we stock up and place them in the box for all to use.
CONT'D...finally the end!
If close-minded people can't see how responsible, professional, passionate, caring and honest we at BARK are after knowing all of the facts and knowing what challenges we have faced trying to get as far as we have, then I feel sorry for you.
Dogs and other pets show love, they protect, act silly, become ill on occasion and need treatment and love, look forward to every single day with you, and never let you down. Dogs are honest - what you see is what you get. They don't lie, cheat, talk behind your back, or harbor resentment. Mankind has a hell of a lot to learn from animals.
CATS RULE! DOGS DROOL! CATS RULE! DOGS DROOL! CATS RULE! DOGS DROOL! CATS RULE! DOGS DROOL! CATS RULE! DOGS DROOL! CATS RULE! DOGS DROOL! CATS RULE! DOGS DROOL! CATS RULE! DOGS DROOL! CATS RULE! DOGS DROOL! CATS RULE! DOGS DROOL! CATS RULE! DOGS DROOL! CATS RULE! DOGS DROOL! CATS RULE! DOGS DROOL! CATS RULE! DOGS DROOL! CATS RULE! DOGS DROOL! CATS RULE! DOGS DROOL! CATS RULE! DOGS DROOL! CATS RULE! DOGS DROOL! CATS RULE! DOGS DROOL! CATS RULE! DOGS DROOL! CATS RULE! DOGS DROOL!
these dog park people seem a little too intense.
i don't mind the idea of a dog park. however, i think that it would be better if the dog park is in a less attractive area of the park. the dogs don't care.
i don't want a fence in the middle of the forest. sounds ugly. why would someone think this is a good idea? sounds like we're taking a beautiful slice of bristol and putting a kennel there.
put the dog park somewhere else.
and as for teh person who commented that the BARK people are very responsible...well, the dog park won't just be used by BARK people, will it?
People are not going to use the dog park that are already using the boulevard, or the toher parks. Its mainly for the Bark members and their out-of-town dog people. To the dog lover who said there are not trash barrels to put the dog poop in - yes there are. AND if there weren't any - ever think about carrying it home and throw it in your barrel????
This dog park will be a hugh headache for the city - mark my words.
The fact of the matter is that surrounding communities that are attracting people to live in their communities have dog parks that are popular, well used, and mentioned as yet another wonderful reason why people enjoy living in those more desirable communities.
Bristol can remain stuck in the past lamenting over a changing world or they can look at what people are looking for in their community today and find a way to efficiently address the needs of those residents. For many single people and childless couples their dogs are very important parts of their lives. Amenities, like dog parks, are a plus when these people are considering where to live.
Personally, I like taking my dog to the Roberts property. We do take her off-leash, but she's always leashed up when we see a hiker or another dog approaching. I wish that other dog owners had the same courtesy; our dog is smaller and often she'll be bowled over by an un-leashed, exuberant German Shepherd or Lab wanting to play. She's leashed until we get well into the property, for her own safety (proximity to cars/roads). And we carry bags and clean up after her, even on a walk around the neighborhood.
I wouldn't go to Rockwell Park by myself, even with the dog - I don't believe anywhere in that part of town is safe for a woman by herself. Sorry.
The Southington town dog park prohibits children from entering (even with an adult), although I've seen that rule broken a few times. It also has waste disposal stations with bags and barrels and dog owners are expected to clean up after their pets. In general, people who are seeking out a dog park are likely to be responsible dog owners and pick up after their pets.
Did Aviv from the Courant "borrow" your story again?
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