Potential Unintended Health & Safety Consequences
Injury: Due to the deforestation related to the creation of the playing fields behind the Mother House, along with climate change, the paths of MBW are now extremely icy for most of the winter. Cleats are required, as walking becomes hazardous. Walking with one (or two) dogs on leash during these months, given the slightest pull, will result in increased falls and injury. Some dog walkers have disabilities and/or injuries resulting in mobility issues or special accessibility needs (met by MBW parking and the wide, flat trails). Many others are seniors, with increased risk of injury as balance is a well-documented health issue (see here, here, and here). In addition, during most of the winter, dog walkers are the ONLY people to come into the park; others who do not have to walk dogs typically leave as soon as they see the ice (this would include skiers as the trails turn to ice). There would be no reason to require leashing during these winter months. (Not to mention the fact that colder and darker conditions during the "compromise" early and late off-leash hours make walking conditions even more hazardous.)
Isolation & Loneliness: Maine has an elderly population, with isolation a key element related to illness and suicide (see here and here). MBW provides a social community or network for many of its users. A number of regular walkers stated that they would not have met many of their neighbors without this park. Walking with dogs on leash does not allow for this type of interaction, as dogs behave differently, may be protective of their owners, and do not typically walk well with other dogs on leash. We have found that during the initial April - August 2021 "no dogs off-leash" period, very few visitors to Baxter Woods were observed. Where were those who claimed "now I can visit Baxter Woods" on social media? BW felt like a private park on many days, certainly an under-utilized city park, as most of those with dogs dispersed to other areas.
Human Aggression: Many women walk in MBW on their own, and safety has not been an issue due to the presence of other dog walkers. Most of these women have expressed that they would not feel safe walking at any of the alternative locations presented by the City. While MBW was once a place to avoid due to safety, the community of dog walkers has allowed it to become a safe neighborhood location for both solitary connection with nature and communal social activity. This could easily change without the presence of dogs. On February 17th, 2022, a man threatened a female dog walker, first shouting about the dog (who was off the path, nowhere near him) and then escalating to screaming obscenities at the woman and coming at her as if to attack (she ran). The PPD and the Parks Department were notified. Even before this occurred, some women have stated that they no longer feel safe due to the decrease in walkers. We have sent details to our email list and recommend carrying a phone.
Lyme disease is a serious health threat, the lack of undergrowth and migrating deer in Baxter woods makes it a safer place for many residents and their dogs and/or children. Although a few deer were sited this spring, very few ticks have been reported.
Increased Trash and Litter: Prior to the woods becoming popular with dog owners, it was used by alcoholics, drug users, homeless people, and teenage partiers. If dedicated dog walkers were not there daily taking care of the woods, glass and debris would only accumulate. As the dedicated dog walkers went elsewhere, there were fewer of us to pick up the trash left each day. Regular trash includes all sorts of wrappers, receipts, nips, cigarette packages and butts, hot and cold drink containers, and, of course, many beer cans and bottles.
Impact of Shorter Off-leash Hours: The proposed hours exclude certain groups of walkers, including some elderly residents of Deering Center, nightshift workers, parents who arrive after dropping their children at school, young mothers who can walk their babies or toddlers and their dogs during the daytime, and anyone else who does not keep a typical 9-5 work schedule; the shorter hours will concentrate off-leash walking into two blocks of time, stressing the Woods, park visitors, and dogs. We are just now entering the season with darker days, where 3:00 p.m. will be approaching dusk. With cold and icy weather approaching, having to wait until the sun is setting is not an optimal compromise.
Isolation & Loneliness: Maine has an elderly population, with isolation a key element related to illness and suicide (see here and here). MBW provides a social community or network for many of its users. A number of regular walkers stated that they would not have met many of their neighbors without this park. Walking with dogs on leash does not allow for this type of interaction, as dogs behave differently, may be protective of their owners, and do not typically walk well with other dogs on leash. We have found that during the initial April - August 2021 "no dogs off-leash" period, very few visitors to Baxter Woods were observed. Where were those who claimed "now I can visit Baxter Woods" on social media? BW felt like a private park on many days, certainly an under-utilized city park, as most of those with dogs dispersed to other areas.
Human Aggression: Many women walk in MBW on their own, and safety has not been an issue due to the presence of other dog walkers. Most of these women have expressed that they would not feel safe walking at any of the alternative locations presented by the City. While MBW was once a place to avoid due to safety, the community of dog walkers has allowed it to become a safe neighborhood location for both solitary connection with nature and communal social activity. This could easily change without the presence of dogs. On February 17th, 2022, a man threatened a female dog walker, first shouting about the dog (who was off the path, nowhere near him) and then escalating to screaming obscenities at the woman and coming at her as if to attack (she ran). The PPD and the Parks Department were notified. Even before this occurred, some women have stated that they no longer feel safe due to the decrease in walkers. We have sent details to our email list and recommend carrying a phone.
Lyme disease is a serious health threat, the lack of undergrowth and migrating deer in Baxter woods makes it a safer place for many residents and their dogs and/or children. Although a few deer were sited this spring, very few ticks have been reported.
Increased Trash and Litter: Prior to the woods becoming popular with dog owners, it was used by alcoholics, drug users, homeless people, and teenage partiers. If dedicated dog walkers were not there daily taking care of the woods, glass and debris would only accumulate. As the dedicated dog walkers went elsewhere, there were fewer of us to pick up the trash left each day. Regular trash includes all sorts of wrappers, receipts, nips, cigarette packages and butts, hot and cold drink containers, and, of course, many beer cans and bottles.
Impact of Shorter Off-leash Hours: The proposed hours exclude certain groups of walkers, including some elderly residents of Deering Center, nightshift workers, parents who arrive after dropping their children at school, young mothers who can walk their babies or toddlers and their dogs during the daytime, and anyone else who does not keep a typical 9-5 work schedule; the shorter hours will concentrate off-leash walking into two blocks of time, stressing the Woods, park visitors, and dogs. We are just now entering the season with darker days, where 3:00 p.m. will be approaching dusk. With cold and icy weather approaching, having to wait until the sun is setting is not an optimal compromise.
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