The TC first discussed the idea last month at a meeting where TC Member Nancy Adams raised the issue, noting that when dogs are allowed to run free on those courts, they can create a disturbance and even danger.
"There have been issues that have come up recently with dogs being let off leashes in enclosed areas," she said at a December meeting. "Dog owners think that that's okay, but it's also against the law."
Current township ordinances require that dogs be leashed in such public areas. Adams suggested that a new ordinance be enacted to bar dogs, leashed or not, in basketball, tennis and other enclosed courts on public property, with signs posted to alert residents
"To clarify that enclosures in public parks are also required to have dogs on leashes," she said. "These are not necessarily understood by residents that it is not permitted."
The TC last week introduced an ordinance that would specify the enclosed area limitations. See that ordinance HERE.
It not only requires leashes on dogs in public parks, but bans dogs from tennis, basketball or paddle courts, leashed or not.
The measure will be voted on for final passage and include a public hearing at the next TC meeting on Jan. 17.
During the discussion, it was noted that residents need a place for dogs to run free, citing the Essex County dog park in South Mountain Reservation as an example. When the idea of such a dog park in Memorial Park was raised, Mayor Vic Deluce said that would likely not work.
"We tried that once before," Deluca said. "We tried to designate an area of Memorial Park because a dog park must be fenced in. When we scouted the park, there was just a very small part. A dog run takes a beating."
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