I’d like us to keep Pritchard Park as it is meant to be: a reflective place and a place that we honor. I walk daily along the beach and marvel in the slice of nature that exists across from the ferry, so close to our taking-off point to a cram-packed metropolis. I enjoy seeing people and their children and their dogs. I love dogs and have appreciated their joy as they run down the beach.

But, I think the park is not the place for dogs to run freely – it may interrupt a person’s reflective feeling and for some, a feeling of safety. Lately I’ve seen evidence that dog owners are not being careful with how their animals use the beach.

Tuesday I walked and saw numerous piles that owners had not cleaned up – either they didn’t know their dog had pooped or they just didn’t collect it to throw away. And then, way down the beach, there was a Canada goose that had been killed by a dog and left on the sand. I couldn’t bear seeing its mate continue to circle the body, so I buried it deep so other dogs couldn’t come and desecrate it further.

I ask people to be more conscientious dog-owners: clean up after your pet, and don’t let them off the leash in Pritchard Park. Thank you.

Linda Watson

Eagledale