I will get right to the point. According to the Arlington County Code:

"... it is unlawful for any person who owns, possesses or harbors a dog to permit that dog to create a frequent or continued noise disturbance across a real property boundary or within a nearby dwelling unit"

I remind you of this now because one of our neighbors has justifiably and repeatedly complained of frequent and continuous barking in our DEA. I have promised on several occasions that we are trying to implement effective measures to eliminate the problem (such as muzzling). Self - enforcement is our first and preferred option and we hope it will suffice. Accordingly, I have spoken directly to almost every dog owner with dogs that tend to bark frequently or continuously. Fortunately, most have responded appropriately and taken steps to reduce their dog's barking. Some have not done so and some newcomers are not aware of the park rules. Rule signage for the park entrance is on order and should help to increase everyone's awareness of the need to control barking -- as well as to pick up poop and supervise children closely.

While some of our users feel that the "no frequent or continuous barking rule" is a silly rule for a dog park, it is nonetheless defined by the Arlington County Code and it can be enforced by the appropriate county authorities (and the neighbors will have every right to complain about it). All of the DEA rules were defined after lengthy dialogue among a large working group comprised of county citizens and staff. Our sponsoring agreement with the county (a copy is posted in the kiosk) includes a committment to enforce the park rules and follow the DEA Standards. If we cannot achieve adequate compliance through self-enforcement we will need to involve Arlington County Animal Control which may, if necessary, ban offenders from all the county DEAs.

I would like to stress one very important point: the use of this dog park is by no means our right. It is a privilege. It is a privilege brought to you by a few very persistent dog-lovers in Arlington who spent years mobilizing the necessary community and political support. Therefore, we hope that everyone will make an effort to understand, and act in a manner consistent with, the serious nature of our legal agreement with Arlington County to sponsor this DEA. Our agreement with the county is valid for one year and our performance under this agreement will be reviewed on an annual basis. While your cooperation is much appreciated, it is also indispensable -- we will not survive without it.

I ask (beg) each and every one of you to kindly do everything you can to help us with the self-enforcement of the park rules which are listed in the All About Banneker Dogs brochure posted in the kiosk. The county will soon provide us with a larger sign posting all the rules. I hope you will pardon the directness of this letter, but it would serve no one (least of all our dogs) to sugar-coat the serious issue of the dog park rules and our important role in their enforcement.

Thank you,

John F. Wilson

President (for the moment)

Banneker Dogs, Inc.