Nowadays, when virtually all city and county governments have websites, it's easy to gauge how well they support their citizens' favorite activities. County Park websites often proudly list and describe a myriad of popular outdoor activities and planned events for county residents to participate in. LI-DOG has researched several other counties to see how well they support their dog owning citizens and get a good idea of how well Suffolk County compares to other counties across the United States. The table below compares the number of dog parks to the population numbers for those counties. The following data came from the websites for those counties, which are listed below, and US Census data.

Let's take a look at the activities listed and supported on the Suffolk County Parks system website.

http://www.co.suffolk.ny.us/departments/parks.aspx

The following is a list of counties that proudly list the off-leash dog parks and recreational opportunities they provide their dog loving citizens. Many of the websites have photos of citizens enjoying the off-leash parks with their dogs, as well the amenities they provide.

http://www.orangecounty.net/html/pets_rec.html (California)

http://www.metrokc.gov/parks/marymoor/

http://www.oakgov.com/parksrec/activities/dogpark.html

http://www.orangecountyfl.net/cms/DEPT/CEsrvcs/parks/dogparks.htm (Florida)

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/offleash.htm

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/paw_playgrounds.htm

http://www.fairfieldcountyonline.com/directory/pets/dog-parks/

http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Park+and+Rec/Parks/Dog+Parks/Home.htm

http://www.aacounty.org/RecParks/parks/dogparks/

http://www.co.ramsey.mn.us/parks/parks/offleash.htm

http://www.getboulder.com/sports/sports_dogparks.html

http://www.douglas.co.us/publicworks/parksandtrails/Dog_Off_Leash.html

http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/ParksRecreation/scripts/dogs/ParksRecreationScriptsDogsDogRuns

http://www.charlescounty.org/pf/pg/parks/dogpark/default.htm

http://www.co.clackamas.or.us/dc/parks.htm

http://www.hamiltoncountyparks.org/parks/armleder.htm

If you believe that off-leash recreation is just as valid as other forms of outdoor recreation and that it's time for Suffolk County to catch up to the rest of the United States in recognizing the value it provides its citizens write Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy and the Suffolk County Parks Department and let them know how you feel. Also, let your local legislator know how important off-leash areas are to you and your dogs. The only way we are going to change Suffolk County's attitude towards dog owners is if they hear from every one of us.

• Call County Executive Steve Levy at 631-853-4235 or email him at county.executive@suffolkcountyny.gov
• Email the Suffolk County Parks Department at scparks@suffolkcountyny.gov
• The Suffolk County Legislator page with district maps and contact info can be found at http://www.co.suffolk.ny.us/legis/offices.htm

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