Dogs? Not at Ridgefield's Ballard Park

Ballard Park is well posted prohibiting dogs, but some residents are complaining about the smell from dog feces.

The only access to Ballard Park not posted with a Dogs Prohibited sign is the driveway nearest the intersection of Main and Gilbert streets.

"I'm very familiar with the park," says Jacob Haynes, who will be a senior at Ridgefield High School in September. "I've never had a problem with dogs. I usually don't even see dogs around here."

Haynes was in the Ballard park gazebo with Brianna Carlson and another friend. None of them had noticed the dogs or smells from dog feces.

A commentator on Ridgefield Patch, Irene B, posted the following on the Boards:

"It would be much nicer if people would clean up after their dogs. I walk in Ballarad Park and Mar-Joy Pond trail and there are areas beginning to smell like a kennel. Mar-Joy is particularly offensive. Could everyone please be a responsible citizen and bring a bag?"

Sinara Tragueta and her son, Ewan Tragueta, were picnicking at Ballard Park Wednesday. They didn't see -- or smell -- any dog problems.

"Some people maybe play with the little dogs on a leash, but I've never seen that," Sinara Tragueta says. 
 
Commentators on a Ridgefield Patch article said the problem goes beyond Ballard Park, and one suggests police action is called for.

NTW posted at 1:50 p.m. Wednesday, "As a 'respnsible' owner of 2 dogs, I am disgusted by the amount of mess along Main Street. People should be ashamed of themselves as they give all dog owners a bad name. My only suggestion would be for the Town to install a bin or two at the upper (Wilton) end of the street in the hope that people would act with more courtesy to others."

Another commentator, Thunder Hill, was even less forgiving. "Agreed. Some dog owners are as foul as their dog's mess. I would like to see the police issue a few tickets. Could only help encourage the errant dog owners. Speaking of bad odors, what's up with Mamanasco Lake? Oh boy does that smell bad."