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Dog owners ask Cairo board to reopen dog‑park gazebo; board cites safety and staffing concerns
Summary
Residents urged the Town Board to reopen the small gazebo in the Cairo dog park for shade and storm protection, and offered to donate materials; the board cited prior incidents, staff shortages and recommended structural changes before reopening, and asked Parks & Grounds to track incidents for a future decision.
Mike Surrano urged the Town Board of Cairo to reopen the small gazebo in the dog park so dogs and owners can use shade during hot weather and shelter during sudden storms, and asked the board to provide dog‑waste scoopers.
Supervisor Watts said parks staff had been called to clean up after dogs and cited safety concerns including a past incident in which a dog jumped a fence and attacked another dog. Watts said the gazebo is a confined space where multiple dogs together could create hazards and that the parks crew is currently short‑staffed, which affects supervision and the recycling center schedule.
Resident Tim Powers suggested a compromise of installing a half wall plus chain‑link fencing instead of a full wall; Art Evans proposed reopening the gazebo for a one‑month trial to evaluate owner responsibility. Resident Earl offered to donate epoxy rubber for the gazebo floor if the board installs a half wall to reduce absorption and cleanup needs.
The board asked Parks & Grounds to provide a monthly list of incidents occurring in the dog park; the list will be used to reassess whether to reopen the gazebo to dogs year‑round. No formal vote or ordinance change was recorded at the meeting.
