[D&Lsunfun]

Did all these dog owners have a "dog park" in their former neighborhoods?
What about their own property?

[janmcn]

Originally Posted by vj1213

I have to agree this is not about dog poop. That topic has been beaten to death. I often take my dog to the Tamarind Grove area too on our walks. After we walked today I was approached by Community Watch, he said this is not a dog park, I said excuse me, he said this is private property and you can't have a dog here. I simply said well my dog is on his leash, here is his poop in my little bag, and I do believe this is Villages property not private property. I said I don't understand how TV being taunted as pet friendly will allow me to walk my dog on any town square or inside any of the sales centers (we actually have dog treats in the sales centers to give to dogs who come in) and you say this is the only private property where dogs aren't allowed.
I must say there were a few very hot tempered dog walkers there who got very argumentative.
I came home and called the district office (was told they knew nothing) they passed me on to community watch who passed me to their supervisor, who passed me to their supervisor and no one could tell me anything. All I got from the last lady was..give me your # and we will have someone who is aware of the situation call you back. Haven't heard back.
I will just say, whether it be dogs or any other countless rules, there will always be those who don't believe rules apply to them or choose only to follow a select few. I don't think dogs should be hanging around the postal stations themselves, but in the grassy areas that surround them, I don't see a problem. Just gives some people something else to complain about.

Why was this policy change not publicized before implementation? People are now told something they have been doing for five, ten, twenty years is now illegal, without any advance warning. Signs could have been posted, flyers posted at the mailbox, or an article in the Daily Sun would have gotten the word out.

This is so typical of the way things are done here. Drop the hammer with no notice then deny that anyone knows anything about the matter...think 'Berlin wall'. Changes were made under cover of darkness, then nobody would take responsibility for the action.

BTW: I feel sorry for the neighborhood watch fellows who have the job of informing residents they are breaking the law that nobody knew existed.

[TVMayor]

Well the way I see it the Community Watch is on my payroll not the developers. True be that. If the developer wants to have a poopee patrol let him finance it.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by janmcn

Why was this policy change not publicized before implementation? People are now told something they have been doing for five, ten, twenty years is now illegal, without any advance warning. Signs could have been posted, flyers posted at the mailbox, or an article in the Daily Sun would have gotten the word out.

This is so typical of the way things are done here. Drop the hammer with no notice then deny that anyone knows anything about the matter...think 'Berlin wall'. Changes were made under cover of darkness, then nobody would take responsibility for the action.

BTW: I feel sorry for the neighborhood watch fellows who have the job of informing residents they are breaking the law that nobody knew existed.

twenty years?

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by D&Lsunfun

Did all these dog owners have a "dog park" in their former neighborhoods? What about their own property?

Of course dogs go to the bathroom on their own property. But dogs also need to go on walks. They need exercise and so do their owners. And walking dogs to the postal station to pick up mail seems to be a popular pastime.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by vj1213

This topic dealt with community watch and the statement that this one area is private property.

Is it possible that Community Watch misunderstood their mandate? I thought multi-modal paths are private property? Are these paths now off limits for dog walking? For all walkers? For bikes? For jogging? What are the new rules?

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by D&Lsunfun

Did all these dog owners have a "dog park" in their former neighborhoods?
What about their own property?

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Is it possible that Community Watch misunderstood their mandate? I thought multi-modal paths are private property? Are these paths now off limits for dog walking? For all walkers? For bikes? For jogging? What are the new rules?

In answer to D&L, yes, we did have a dog park in our former neighborhood. In our city of 60,000, there were three, plus a 1 1/2-mile- long dog beach on Lake Michigan. Dog parks are ubiquitous; they are commonplace. Why shouldn't we lobby for a dog park here in the southern section? The developer saw fit to put two good ones in the north. We need a decent one in the south.

I drove by the TG mailboxes today. There were neither the community watch trucks nor a sign saying no dogs. But it was 11:00. Perhaps at 2:00 when people normally pick up their mail they will be there. Bare, maybe we'll find out more soon.

[TexaninVA]

Originally Posted by zonerboy

Posters in other threads have questioned just what Community Watch does, serve the needs of the community or those of the developer.
Today I journeyed down to the Tamarind Grove neighborhood postal station to pick up my mail and found a Community Watch truck with a watch person going up to residents walking their dogs and informing them that this was no longer allowed in this area.
I asked for an explanation, and was told that this area was being used as a "dog park" and that the developer had received complaints. He said that this common area was the property of the developer and not the residents, and that henceforth no dogs would be allowed.
I responded that I had occasionally walked my dog there and that my realtor suggested this as a good place to walk dogs when we purchased our home 2 and a half years ago. He suggested I use the dog park on Bonita behind the fire station and I told him I'd been there and it was about the size of my CYV backyard. I suggested that if the developer wanted to restrict dogs on "common" areas, then perhaps he should consider adding a few more real dog parks.
While I was having this conversation two more Community Watch trucks pulled up to help with the patrol. Is this good way to be spending your amenity fees?????

Kudos to Community Watch !

[Lovey2]

Originally Posted by CFrance

In answer to D&L, yes, we did have a dog park in our former neighborhood. In our city of 60,000, there were three, plus a 1 1/2-mile- long dog beach on Lake Michigan. Dog parks are ubiquitous; they are commonplace. Why shouldn't we lobby for a dog park here in the southern section? The developer saw fit to put two good ones in the north. We need a decent one in the south.

I drove by the TG mailboxes today. There were neither the community watch trucks nor a sign saying no dogs. But it was 11:00. Perhaps at 2:00 when people normally pick up their mail they will be there. Bare, maybe we'll find out more soon.

Fill out the form on the link I posted...I did, and I have no dog. I just think it's a good idea.

[TexaninVA]

Originally Posted by billethkid

it is not a good use of their time at all.

Put up a sign and allow citizen reports of violators. Report to who? I don't know!

Start a citizen's patrol.

When you see neighbor violating the rule...call them on it ( I know in today's society that is unlikely to hapen)...but I do! And I get some interesting responses.

I too am a dog owner. My dogs usual spot to do het busienss is my property and I pick up every one of her poops.
When we walk, every day, 2-3 miles on the multi modal paths, if and when she makes a deposit I pick it up.

There is absolutely no reason why the non responsible dog owners cannot do the same. If not they should not have a dog.

And if they don't and I witness it I tell them right then and there!!

Maybe ... but most people will not want to confront a dog owner in this manner for a variety of reasons ... including the risk of a short tempered owner flaring up and creating a worse problem than not picking up the poop. Thus, Community Watch did the right thing here IMHO.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by Lovey2

What a nice concept!! We had planned on buying a villa when we moved here, so the dog we were going to get (a boxer, Kitty) would have it's own private space to enjoy, and I could clean up the mess in private (I have no desire to be outside picking up poop and carrying it around with me), and my dog could go where I designated. We ended up with a second cat, so the dog acquisition went out the window. I agree there should be a consideration for a second dog park, but I don't think the Villages should HAVE TO provide this for dog owners, nor does that have one iota to do with the amenity fees. Should I insist on a scratch play-house for my cats...or maybe we can build an aviary for people with birds...really? And isn't it just funny how on these cold and windy days, I don't see any of those dogs that "just won't go" on their own lawns, being walked as usual and going on MY lawn...hmmmm...they must be holding it for the nice weather???

My thoughts but you did a better job of communicating it. I am aghast that the OP would label this a thread about a dog park vis a vis the lack of consideration by dog owners. I do not want to be around smokers and I don't want to be around dogs. so with that theme let me ay I don't care if you smoke just don't exhale. and I don't care if you walk your dog to the postal station just place a diaper on it or use a cork.

[Lovey2]

Originally Posted by rubicon

My thoughts but you did a better job of communicating it. I am aghast that the OP would label this a thread about a dog park vis a vis the lack of consideration by dog owners. I do not want to be around smokers and I don't want to be around dogs. so with that theme let me ay I don't care if you smoke just don't exhale. and I don't care if you walk your dog to the postal station just place a diaper on it or use a cork.

[CFrance]

I don't like being around people who don't like pets. There's something cold there.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by janmcn

Why was this policy change not publicized before implementation? People are now told something they have been doing for five, ten, twenty years is now illegal, without any advance warning. Signs could have been posted, flyers posted at the mailbox, or an article in the Daily Sun would have gotten the word out.

This is so typical of the way things are done here. Drop the hammer with no notice then deny that anyone knows anything about the matter...think 'Berlin wall'. Changes were made under cover of darkness, then nobody would take responsibility for the action.

BTW: I feel sorry for the neighborhood watch fellows who have the job of informing residents they are breaking the law that nobody knew existed.

The views and opinions and spoken words of the help are not always the views of the management. (Neighborhood watch)



If they put everything up for debate they would have 100 thousand very opinionated responses. I don't blame them for not telling people what they are going to do ahead of time.


It isn't that either time any awful thing happened from it after all was said and done. The gate was there to establish a precedent before negotiations with Fruitland Park, or we could have had a LOT more golf cart traffic. They did put up a sign prior, yes a day or two before, but it ended well. I don't suppose they could have conjured up a gate and had it in in time to go to the negotiations and kept Fruitland Park from saying that the borders weren't secure...that ultimately made this a better place for us all.

[Cisco Kid]

Originally Posted by CFrance

I don't like being around people who don't like pets. There's something cold there.

Them kind of people should say in their own yard were we don't have to smell them.