Residents press Chincoteague council to fix dog-park erosion, question $15,000 Leonard Park resurfacing

Chincoteague residents told the Town Council on Monday night they want faster repairs at the island’s dog park and clearer oversight after the resurfacing of a small park parking area.

"This ground has a downhill slope ... the water runs into the area of the entrance gate and then runs into the area where the bench seating is," said Glenda Gatchel, a Bay Colony Lane resident, describing sinkhole-like erosion and holes that she said are trip hazards for people and pets. Gatchel asked the council to install a concrete pad at the affected spot, said the gate on the large-dog side is bent at the hinges and reported that an agreed shade sail has not yet been installed.

The dog-park testimony was followed by other residents who raised related park concerns. "It’s not about the dogs. It’s about people," said Isabelle Kaldenbach, who described the park as a daily social hub for users of all ages.

Separately, Tony Cox of Tar Street questioned the town about a $15,000 resurfacing project at Donald Leonard Park. Cox asked who authorized the work, whether purchase orders were used and whether the council had been properly notified. "So the $15,000 went to ... the labor to put them there," the mayor said in response, adding that the town used stored millings from road repairs and that much of the cost was labor rather than material.

Public works staff said the millings were stockpiled from roadway projects and that some additional millings were purchased; staff also confirmed the town handled the work in-house rather than through an outside contract. Council members said the parking work had been discussed at Parks & Recreation committee meetings, though several residents said they were surprised by the result and remain concerned about aesthetics and kayak access if a perimeter fence is installed.

Town staff said they would consider surfacing alternatives at the dog park — including concrete, wood chips or other surfacing — after regrading, and said benches could be bolted down if a hard surface is installed to improve safety. The council did not take an immediate vote on a specific repair plan; staff directed residents to follow up with public works and the Parks & Recreation committee for details.

The council also heard a separate public comment about an easement dispute on Margaret’s Lane and reports of unreliable pump‑out service at the town dock; town staff provided guidance on who to contact for each issue.

What happens next: residents said they will meet with public works after the meeting and that Parks & Recreation will revisit shade-sail installation and surfacing options. The council asked staff to follow up and said officials would continue to brief the council in committee and during future meetings.