Editor’s note: following is an opinion submitted by Westporter Victoria Consoli
We are a group calling ourselves Friends of Winslow Park. We represent the people who want to preserve Westport’s open space at Winslow Park as it is currently under attack.
Text Amendment #874 (PZ 26 00386) has been placed before Westport’s Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) to specifically alter the zoning laws for Winslow Park to develop a “dog port”, a fenced area for dogs (See “Text Amendment #874” here).
We first learned something was afoot when a survey was placed around the park in May asking visitors if they approved of this idea. Recently, the results of this survey was posted on P&Z’s website. Over 400 people completed the survey, 64.7% of the respondents answered NO when asked if they believed a dog port was needed or wanted in Westport. Additionally, when asked about their perspective on a dog port, 61.1% said unfavorable and 23.7% said favorable.
On Saturday, Aug. 15 we found out the proposed text amendment was being presented and possibly voted on by the P&Z on Monday, August 17th. We immediately rallied and put together a petition saying we opposed the changes and outlined our reasons for doing so.
We collected 195 signatures at Winslow Park on Sunday, Aug. 16. Out of those, 151 provided complete information. Using only the 151 completed petitions we found that 94.2% of the people opposed the amendment and, taking a stroke count of those refusing to sign, potentially 7.4% of people agree with it.
We sat in on the P&Z meeting on August 17th and were pleased that the majority of the speakers were also opposed to the amendment. Unfortunately, by 11:30 p.m. we ran out of time, not everyone got to speak and thus the meeting will continue on September 14th.
In summary, a survey showed a majority at Winslow Park do not approve of a dog port. Our petition showed the vast majority also do not approve and many people at the meeting of the P&Z do not approve of a dog port. Yet, with this overwhelming opposition, they continue to press for the passage of this amendment to alter Winslow Park.
We encourage you to visit the P&Z webpage covering this issue, many letters in opposition have been posted. We think this issue is worthy of coverage. If you have a strong opinion please feel free to write the P&Z at pandz@westportct.gov, be sure to reference Text Amendment #874. In addition, attend the P&Z meeting on the evening of September 14th.
Let’s keep Winslow as zoned, and as is, free space for all to enjoy.
Thank you,
Victoria Consoli
Friends of Winslow Park
This sums it up nicely: just say no.
I presume the only visitors of Winslow who were asked about their opinions on the issue were the off-leash dog owners. No other people go there as the park which is located in the heart of Westport does not appear neither attractive nor welcoming.
As a mom to three children and a dog owner, I always avoided taking my kids to this park due to a large number of uncontrolled off-leash dogs. I also stopped taking my dog to this park a long while ago for the same reason. As a puppy my dog was bitten there by a large dog and I also witnessed another puppy being bitten. Unlike my dog which turned out to be fine, this other puppy was bleeding from its’ neck. Yet, the owners of the aggressive dog continued walking like nothing happened after the incident and did not even stop to check on a puppy.
As a cherry on a top, an uncontrolled dog ran from Winslow right before my mom who was driving to Trader Joe’s. To avoid hitting the dog my mother had to swerve and hit the curb which resulted in a damaged wheel and flat tire though it may have ended much worse.
Judging from my experience, I think that having an enclosed area for the dogs (separate for big and small) is long overdue.
Also, Westport needs a playground for the kids other than at Campo beach which is the only public playground we have and is unpleasant to attend during colder and windy months. Playgrounds at WPS are closed to the public and the one at BMS is actually locked which is a shame.
All Westport residents would benefit from having Winslow park developed with separate areas for dogs, kids, and nicely paved roads so that we all enjoy this public space and not only the off-leash dogs and their owners.