REUNION DOG PARK

Objective? Creating a Reunion Dog Park so that residents may join forces to make this a reality and hopefully ensure every resident is more satisfied than the status quo!

Who does this benefit? All Reunion Residents.

How? Those with playful dogs who want to chase a ball and/or play have space to do so. Those who do not want dogs to be off a leash to play are assured the dogs have a designated space to play and those people can avoid said area. 

Does this prevent the occasional escape artist pet? No. Dogs are quick and can make an occasional run for it. However, the intent is that there is an area for non-aggressive Reunion dogs to burn energy and do so in a contained environment. 

Risk? All dog owners assume risk for their dogs should an otherwise friendly dog attack another friendly dog. Known aggressive dogs, small children, and non-dog-lovers should avoid the confines and surrounding areas of the Reunion Dog Park.

Size Solution? A smaller side can accommodate the smaller breed dogs while a larger side can accommodate medium to large breed dogs. A fenced divider will ensure all friendly, non-aggressive dogs of various sizes have equal play rights. 

Clean Up? Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pet's waste. Dog bag dispensers and depositories like those on the trial would be beneficial and convenient.

Aesthetics? Everyone takes pride in keeping Reunion beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. With the proper fencing, landscaping, cart parking, and benches for dog owners, this can be accomplished.

One Resident's Personal Experience & Observation: 
I live on the walking trail at a trail entrance and have witnessed probably only two (2) aggressive dogs in over 3 years. The owners were nice and warned my young son "not to pet." I live in a section with probably 30 small children bouncing from house to house every day. (It takes a village!)

However, the reality is this:
1. Dogs do not speak English; and
2. Occasionally dogs escape - especially when droves of small children do not come in/out of the house quickly enough. The majority of these dogs simply want to stretch their legs, run and play - they aren't intending to be offensive to non-dog-lovers, leash-lovers, don't-poop-on-my-lawn-even-if-you-clean-it-up-residents, or those who may be frightened by dogs.

We've seen an abundance of kind neighbors post a seemingly lost or escaped pup/pet who have assured resident owners that the pet is fed, warm and safe until the owner can scoop them up. I've personally happily accommodated two or more lost pets until the owner could swing by. I've also personally walked in the rain to clean up after my dog when she went potty in a yard while on a walk and I didn't realize I was out of bags. (God forbid I show up on someone's Ring or Whatvever-Camera and out of bags.)

What's the reality?

1. There's a group of people who advocate for strict leash law enforcement and no "free dog play" outside of the dog's yard. (Let's face it; Reunion is comprised of mostly small yards and zero property lines); and,

2. There's a group of people who would love to throw the ball or frisbee to their dogs to burn off energy without being blasted and shamed on Reunion's Facebook page or being SUED.

SUED? Yes, served with two arrest warrants because occasionally a single mother's older lab escapes and goes potty in a neighboring yard. (Yes, she picks up the dog's remains.) These are people who have zero tolerance for escape artist pups and watch their cameras day and night to find offending escapees. This makes for bad blood between neighbors and is not for which our neighborhood is known. Reunion Residents are known for coming together to benefit good common causes: feeding the hungry, showering the homeless, putting roofs over poverty stricken heads, sending a needy college student off to a good start, sharing advice/equipment/children's items, etc. You name it, Reunion is good at coming together for a common cause and this should be one of them.

So where does that leave the people who want to let their friendly dog run and play? No where in Reunion. Zilch. Zero. Nada. 

Can we remedy that? Sure, with the help and assistance of Reunion, Inc. This is beyond the control of the POA. We need Reunion, Inc. to approve this project and we need your help to do that.

This Petition benefits both sides of the dog fence! There isn't a valid reason on either side of the argument that should be against a Reunion Dog Park.

I am not alone in this assessment - there are hundreds of dog owners who support this project.

Let's collectively work on a solution. Please sign this Petition so that we can get the Developers, Reunion, Inc., motivated to provide a Reunion Dog Park.