The Red Brick Times

Around the middle of last November I sent this email to a "contact us" email address I found on the Lorain County Metro Parks web site:

Dear LCMP,

As a fairly regular user of the LC Metro Parks system I was glad to see that the recent tax levy passed. Now that you have oodles of funds (just kidding) to work with I would like to suggest a low cost addition to the parks that I'm sure would be enjoyed by a significant segment of the local population. How about creating a dog park?

Having recently adopted a young dog from a local shelter I did some Googling and found a list of Ohio dog parks here: (http://www.ecoanimal.com/dogfun/ohio.html). None were local but I was curious as to what a dog park consisted of so, one Saturday, I packed up my pooch and visited the park in Medina. It wasn't much really, smaller than I expected, just some fencing and a couple of picnic tables, and no one else was there. At first glance it didn't seem worth the rather long drive. It turned out to be a pretty nice time though once a few other people (and dogs) turned up. My pup got to play to her hearts content and the people fell into conversations easily due to an obvious shared interest. I enjoyed myself and would like to go again but it's just too far away. Sure wish there was one in Lorain County.

So how about it?

Sincerely,
Russ Whatley

A few days later I received this:

Dear Russ:

Dog park areas are becoming more popular throughout the state. There has been some interest in the Oberlin community. It is my understanding the new Russia Township trustees are considering a site. If you have any other ideas please feel free to contact me directly,

Sincerely,
James D. Martin, Director
Lorain County Metro Parks
12882 Diagonal Road
LaGrange, Ohio 44050

Well, it's nice they took time to respond. And from the Director no less. But... I didn't ask about Oberlin, or Russia Township. I don't pay taxes there. I pay 'em here. He responded in what I feel is a roundabout way, kind of telling me to fuck off without specifically saying so. Mentioning that I could contact him directly was a nice touch, apparently only if I have "other ideas" though. Unfortunately I don't. Tell the truth I'm pretty happy if I have one idea per quarter, and this was it.

So, where do I go from here?

Posted 9:16 AM by whatley (2) comments

       Comments:

Why not pick a site that you feel is best suited to this application, and create a layout of the proposed installation. Get some quotes from a fence company, identify some extra picnic tables that can be moved from one place to another, and send an open letter to the paper with htis information requesting like-minded residents join in support?

# posted by  Andy : December 29, 2005 5:07 PM
 
I have thought about writing a letter to the editor. In fact my post here is more or less the format I was thinking about using. A lot of people read that part of the paper.

One thing I only noticed after posting. In my original letter I say "Sure wish there was one in Lorain County", so his reply mentioning Oberlin and Russia Township isn't as far off the mark as I first thought. Rats. I should have been more specific and said Elyria or the LC Metro Parks.

# posted by  whatley : December 30, 2005 5:18 AM
 
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