Tree Farm Management Group

Good morning. As an Essex Junction resident, not only do I enjoy using the Tree Farm recreational paths to walk my dog, but I also enjoy the many times that I have watched my nieces and nephews playing their various sports on your grounds. As a 78 year old woman who walks the pat several times a week, I feel safe walking their alone. However, the last two Sundays and I and my 11 lb. min poodle were walking around 10 A.M. I encountered two, what I thought were runaway dogs. Both the large white dog and the smaller dog attacked me down to the ground and tried to attack my dog. I'm sure their intentions were to play, but because I did not know these dogs, I was petefried. In addition, an elderly man, who could not speak english and who was pushing a toddler in a stroller, was also very frightened when the dogs approach them. He just stood there frozen. I soon realized that the dogs belonged to one of the parks' employees who was working at the tree farm. This Sunday, after the dogs once came out of the blue and tried to attack me and my dog, I approached him who I believed was the owner of the dogs, and told him what happened last week, and again this week, and asked why his dogs were not on a leach. He immediately said that the park is a privately owned par, which I did not know, I thought it was owned by Essex, another lesson. And, it was not necessary for his dogs to be on a leach, and if I wanted to let mine run loose he did not care. I believe that there is a leach law in Essex Junction, in any event, if not on a leach, at least under control. These dogs were neither. I want to continue to enjoy the park, and now that I know this is managed by volunteers, please let me know where I can send my contribution to help support this beautiful recreational area. I would appreciate it though, if the gentleman who owns the dogs, keep them on a leach, as I do mine. Pat Allard.