NEWBURYPORT — Neighbors who are frustrated with the state of Atwood Park, especially the growing dog waste issue affecting the entire city, will meet with city officials tonight at the park to discuss what can be done to stem the problem.
Rob Rothberg, a resident of the neighborhood around the small park situated between School and Atwood streets near the Old South Church, organized the meeting after speaking with his neighbors and realizing that they are as fed up with the situation as he is.
"It's been going on for a very long time," Rothberg said. "I just wanted to bring some attention to the matter, educate people about the health risks of allowing their dogs to 'go' wherever they please."
The meeting tonight at 6 is open to anyone. In the event of rain, it will take place in the Old South Church on the corner of Federal Street and School Street.
In his e-mail to neighbors about the meeting, Rothberg cites some of the statistics that surround the health risks of dog waste. For instance, a gram of dog waste can contain 23 million fecal coliform bacteria.
He also listed a number of neighborhood complaints about the park, including urine on tennis courts; people using residents' and park trash cans for dog waste, drawing flies and spreading odor; and people simply not cleaning up after their dogs at all.
Rothberg, who works from a home office that overlooks the park, estimates 70 to 100 dogs per day visit Atwood Park. That adds up to more than 500 dogs a week.
"With that many dogs, even if people try their best to clean up after them, there's an issue there," he said.
Rothberg noted the problem goes beyond Atwood Park; the mayor recently pledged to try to combat the growing dog waste problem at all of the city's parks. Along with residents and dog owners, Health Department director Bob Bracey and parks coordinator Lise Reid will be in attendance as well to discuss the citywide problem.
"I've been talking to Lise about the park in general for years," Rothberg said. "The tennis court fence is down, the basketball hoop needs repairs, and there's no funding for it. It's going in the wrong direction. I'd like to get it headed back in the right direction with the support of the community."
The meeting is a chance for everyone with concerns about Atwood Park, as well as other parks in the city, to get together, learn something and, hopefully, come to a consensus about how to handle the needs of local dog owners and the needs of Atwood Park neighbors.
Joseph Gliottone, local franchise owner of DoodyCalls, a franchise that cleans up pet waste, will also be in attendance to discuss the health risks related to dog waste.
Rothberg is hoping that this meeting will be the end of conflict between residents and dog owners so he and his kids can return to Atwood Park.
"I've talked to a lot of the neighborhood dog owners. They're in complete agreement with me," Rothberg said. "I'm an animal lover, too. I don't want to see dogs banned from the park completely. Dogs need exercise, and I know it's tough in a city like this, but my kids play in that park. It shouldn't be a go-to spot for owners to take dogs who need to relieve themselves. I just want people to be a little bit more educated and aware about what they're doing. I want dog owners to be aware of the potential health issues."
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