The “No Dogs on Sports Fields” signs around town are often ignored.
But $77 fines might start getting some owners’ attention.
The Parks & Recreation Department and Westport Animal Control advise the public that they’ll stringently enforce the ordinance in the weeks ahead.
As Parks & Rec staff prepare the fields for the school year, they’ve found what one town official calls “an incredible amount of dog poop.” It’s especially bad at Wakeman Fields, adjacent to Bedford Middle School.
Animal control officer Peter Reid explains: “People can walk dogs on the walkways, but must have verbal or physical control of the dogs. I’ve seen quite a few dogs that stay right at their owner’s side, and those are fine.
“Specifically at Wakeman, people can walk dogs along the perimeter, but the dogs should be leashed. We can’t have dogs romping on the fields anymore, given the large percentage of owners that are not picking up after themselves.”
“And the outfield at the baseball field is part of a playing field. Some walkers were treating that like part of the perimeter.”
NOTE: Those $77 fines are per dog, BTW.
Warning! (Photo/Alexandra Gay”)
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We’ve been blessed with several days of spectacular weather.
Yesterday was another perfect day at the beach.
Just another August Saturday at Compo Beach. (Photo/Susan Garment)
Thirsty visitors enjoyed dirty sodas. The non-alcoholic beverages are made by adding flavored syrups, fruit purees, cream or half-and-half, and a fruit garnish.
Three girls — Madeline, Olivia and Zoey — have created a business called (of course) Cherry on Top. They drew a great crowd (including lifeguards, who got freebies).
The girls …
Cherry on Top will be back the weekend of August 29.
… and their menu. (Photos/Jessica Eno)
That was not the only vendor yesterday. These young entrepreneurs sold ice pops (and did not care if you had no cash):
(Photo/Susan Garment)
Meanwhile, on South Beach, there was this wedding (or reception — hard to tell, since we were not invited):
(Photo/Sunil Hirani)
The couple rolled the dice — weather-wise — for this one, and won.
Let’s hope the rest of their marriage sails as smoothly, too.
Over near the cannons, Staples High School’s Classes of 1969 through ’74 gathered for a day-long reunion.
It was a chance to hang with old friends — and meet new ones. Everyone may not have been at school together, but when you’re in your late-60s to mid-70s, you’re all basically the same age.
And hey — those are the same numbers as the graduation years themselves.
Freaky!
Looking good, more than 55 yeas later! (Photo/Susan Garment)
Finally, not far away, these gulls gathered.
(Photo/Lauri Weiser)
They were either chatting, waiting to pounce the moment a bit of food was left ungarded.
Or they were imitating the chairs that humans plop down every year, saving space for the Independence Day fireworks.
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Readers love Michael Chait’s photos on “06880.”
Next weekend (August 22-23, 1 to 6 p.m.), you can see a wide variety of his images — up close, personal, and much larger than on a screen. The venue is his 11 Riverside Avenue studio, near the Post Road West corner.
The show will feature new works, ready to hang. His style includes photographs that resemble paintings, and photographic wall clocks.
Guest photographer David Stone, also a Westport resident, will contribute recent works.
“Downtown Noralk” (Michael Chait)
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Wendy Levy’s 4 words — “Oh no! Too soon!” is the only caption today’s “Westport … Naturally image needs.
(Photo/Wendy Levy)
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And finally … happy National Roller Coaster Day!
It’s celebrated every August 16, to commemorate the anniversary of the first vertical loop roller coaster patent (issued to Edwin Prescott in 1898 — but you knew that, right?
Wheeeee!
(About the only thing more fun than an amusement park is supporting “06880,” your hyper-local blog. Just click here to have the ride of your life. Thank you!)
Also attending the Staples Reunion was Isabel Blair Matthews, Class of 1947!! She’s planning her class’ 80th Reunion next year.
When I walk my leashed pup at Town Farms, there’s always a couple who let their dog run loose inside the fenced areas and don’t pick up the you know what….I’d be interested to know what type of “fine” is issued .Is it like a parking ticket?
Obviously the ladies of ‘69-‘72 have sought (and found) the fountain of youth.
The gentlemen? Not so much.
The dog enforcement is a perfect of example of “ruining a good thing for everybody”. Stop being selfish and think about how your actions impact other people. As the internet meme goes, This is why we can’t have nice things.
Honestly, grow up!
I walk my dogs regularly at wakeman. I see many regulars walking their dogs on a daily basis and have never not seen someone cleanup after their dogs.
This is a complete over reaction ny Westport officials not taking into account the people from this side of town who use this as our park.
If someone doesn’t clean up after their dog they should definitely be fined but this overreaction is hurting the majority
People who use wakeman.
There was a recent news release in the Westport Journal about a relatively young (27) man (a Westporter – not sure if he attended Staples maybe Dan would know) who was arrested for beating a pregnant woman for the second time within a recent timeframe. Westport police are too busy trying to keep up with serious lawbreakers within a sick self-absorbed uber wealthy microcosm of society to worry about Westporters who can’t (won’t) clean up after their dogs at any of the many town parks. Take a dog out for a walk and the odds are it will poop. Carry a PAPER bag (Sustainable Westport would appreciate it) and USE it. If you prefer, take a selfie of the dog and its “primary” owner (can’t say “master”, it’s not PC) email it to Dan and we can start a new weekly 06880 feature: “Who’s the Biggest Turd in 06880?”
“Back in the day” my son’s gym class was crossing the field behind Kings Highway Elementary, on their way back to class. A flock of geese was also on the field. My beagle Nimbus took a run down the hill and chased the geese into flight. The gym teacher said “that your dog, sledge?” “Yes”, he said, somewhat concerned he might be in trouble. The gym teacher smiled and said “you just got an A in gym”