Half of Hamilton Park may become a pet-free zone when it reopens next month
Monday, April 05, 2010
By MELISSA HAYES
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

When Hamilton Park reopens in a few months, half the park could be designated a pet-free zone.

The Jersey City Department of Public Works has proposed designating 50 percent of the park as pet-free. The department has the ability to restrict up to that amount without the approval of the City Council.

About 15 residents turned out for the hearing held by Public Works Director Rodney Hadley at City Hall Tuesday night.

The majority of the residents, many of them members of the Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association, spoke in favor of having the maximum allowed designated pet-free.

Three pet owners however, said it was unfair to restrict their pets to dog runs and not allow the animals on all the open grassy spaces.

The 4.6-acre park - bordered by Ninth and Eighth streets, McWilliams Place and W. Hamilton Place - closed April 30, 2009 for $3.18 million in renovations, including two new dog runs, improved drainage, improved children's play areas, a spray park for children, and renovated tennis courts and basketball courts.

The park is slated to open by Memorial Day.

The Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association had pushed for the improvements since 2005 and circulated a survey to gauge what the public wanted.

Of the 259 people who answered the pet question, 90 people said they wanted 20 percent or less of the park to be pet-free; 46 voted for 21 to 30 percent to be pet-free; 24 said 31 to 40 percent should be pet-free; and 99 people said 41 to 50 percent, the maximum allowed without City Council approval, should be pet free.

"I think having the park pet-free is absolutely ludicrous," dog owner Christine Bamberger said at last week's hearing.

But supporters noted that the park has had numerous problems with vicious dogs attacking other dogs and people.