Unrest looms over Fisherman’s Cove dog regulations

Dog owners who have been accustomed to bringing their pets for a romp at Fisherman's Cove Conservation Area in Manasquan have new regulations to heed this summer. Beach time limits, new this year, have spurred a petition drive in opposition.

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, dogs are not allowed on the beach between 10 AM and 4 PM. Access to upland trails remains unrestricted, according to information from the Monmouth County Park Commission web page and Facebook page, verified by a Commission spokesperson.

Opponents say they'll be at the site Sunday, collecting signatures in an effort to rescind the new rules. The impasse rests the definition of open and equal access to taxpayer-funded space.

The site even has two Facebook pages - one under the County banner as a conservation area, and a second as a dog park.

Jennifer Vigil of Wall Township is one of the petition organizers. She contends that Fisherman's Cove has, for years, served as a haven for dog owners who are prohibited from bringing their pets to beaches; that it's been therapeutic for canines in the throes of arthritis; and that of the roughly 150 fishing enthusiasts she's encountered in the past four days there, four indicated that dogs might be a distraction.

According to the Park Commission's Karen Livingstone, the Commission Board reached its decision in response to an increasing number of inquiries for unfettered access by individuals and families who aren't necessarily dog owners, for a broader range of activities, such as birdwatching, strolling and kayaking. It has never been a dedicated dog park, she added, and the rules aren't meant to drive away pet owners, but to allow a rising number of visitors to take advantage of the natural amenities.

Her points are well encapsulated on the Park System's web and Facebook pages.

Jennifer acknowledges the points, adding that unnamed County officials in previous exchanges cited construction and safety issues. She concedes that some rudimentary improvements have been added, such as a railing, boulders and temporary repairs on the Glimmer Glass Bridge. But if the risk of dog bites is the safety issue, she says that she knows of no statistics regarding biting incidents, either dog-to-human or dog-to-dog, at Fisherman's Cove.

Parks officials say they wish to give everyone access to the amenities there, even if for non-dog-owners and non-dog-fans. Jennifer agrees that it's space to be shared, but contends that for access be truly equal, no one has time limitations.

Petition organizers say they will collect signatures at the site this Sunday. The Board's next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, at Thompson Park in Lincroft.