LETTER: Groton Place is Not a "Dog Park", so Don't Mess!

Dear Editor:

Groton is extremely fortunate in that the town has numerous lovely areas of protected land. Groton Place, located on Long Hill Road, is owned by New England Forestry Foundation, a private non-profit organization. The adjacent areas of Sabine Woods and the land of the generous Groton School are used by many of us with our dogs as a playground.

Groton Place is not for the exclusive use of individuals with dogs. Walkers, joggers, cross country skiers, bird watchers, picnickers, swimmers, the elderly, young children and many others are also welcome.

What a gift we have and many of us do take good care to realize this is a privilege to be maintained and appreciated.

However, a few individuals use the area irresponsibly and do not pick up after their animals. Some of us organize a clean up twice a year...and this should not be necessary. Those that use the gift of these lands need to be much more responsible. There are bags and trash cans provided by New England Forestry Foundation to pick up and deposit the waste. New England Forestry Foundation pays for the bags of waste to be taken away. How much more easy could this be? Don't leave messes!

Amazingly some put the mess in a bag (open and closed!) and leave it along the paths. Who do they think comes a long to clean up after them?

Unfortunately the area has been called a "dog park" both on the web and in apparently several books.

This land is not a "right"...again, it is a gift. PLEASE, use the lands responsibly. Sadly, there are many in town ( and from other towns) who no longer use this area due to the abuse some dog owners commit here. I can not blame them. Even some of us with our dogs are appalled.

Please, stop abusing this stunning area and be part of the solution.

Pay attention to what your animals are doing...it only takes a minute.

And, the same applies to ANYPLACE we take our pets.

Kris Geils

Smith Street