[RP TownTalk] Human access to Riversdale

Tue Jul 1 11:54:03 UTC 2008

Ken and all,

The back gates are to be reopened after allowing a reasonable amount of time
to install an automatic closing device on the gate.

Best wishes,

Vern

On Mon, Jun 30, 2008 at 4:11 PM, Ken Laureys <K.Laureys at comcast.net> wrote:

> I agree dog owners should follow the Riversdale Mansion rules, but doesn't
> MNCPPC also have to follow the rules?   Why are Riversdale's gates locked
> during the day?  Both the gate atop the Oglethorpe steps and the gate at the
> Taylor Rd. corner have been locked down 24-7 for several years now -- in
> flagrant violation of the official agreement that permitted the fence's
> installation.
>
> Riversdale Director Ed Day is well aware of the agreement among the town,
> the County Historic Preservation Commission and MNCPPC, to keep all the
> mansion gates open during the day to allow community access.  Why is he not
> following the rules?
>
> Public access does indeed serve as "eyes and ears" to protect our historic
> treasure from harm.  But locked gates bottle-up all pedestrian traffic
> destined for the other side.  Park & Planning's scofflaw attitude stymies
> the deterrence dynamics of the community's caring "eyes & ears" and hence
> facilitates the very harm they seek to avoid by locking the public out.
>
> This is exactly what I foresaw happening when too few of us townspeople
> opposed the fencing-in of our commons back in 2003.  The open gate agreement
> was the small concession neighbors obtained before the $500,000 fence went
> up, and now even that small bone has been taken away.
>
> I call on our town officials to hold MNCPPC accountable to the terms of the
> open gate agreement.   I'm confident that my neighbors will continue to
> respect and protect Riversdale -- if we are only allowed.  We ask only that
> MNCPPC (as co-stewards...NOT private owners) reciprocate by respecting our
> community's right to fully access our town's namesake treasure.
>
> Ken Laureys
> 4718 Riverdale Rd.
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Today's Topics:
>
>    1. Re: Dogs, access and Riversdale Mansion (Roland Walker)
>    2. Re: Dogs, access and Riversdale Mansion (Alice Ewen Walker)
>    3. 4806 Sheridan to be auctioned (Dannielle Glaros)
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
>   Subject:
> Re: [RP TownTalk] Dogs, access and Riversdale Mansion  From:
> "Roland Walker" <walker at pobox.com> <walker at pobox.com>  Date:
> Sat, 28 Jun 2008 11:15:33 -0400  To:
> bruce.wernek at mindspring.com   To:
> bruce.wernek at mindspring.com  CC:
> TownTalk <TownTalk at riverdale-park.org> <TownTalk at riverdale-park.org>
>
> fewer people make use of the facility.  Their presence deters vandalism.
>
>
> Bruce, you are surely right on that point.
>
> R
>
> On Fri, Jun 27, 2008 at 12:11 PM, <bruce.wernek at mindspring.com> <bruce.wernek at mindspring.com> wrote:
>
>
> Vern
>
> Ed has allowed dogs to run on the Mansion grounds since he took over the management of the facility.  I have spoken to him numerous times while my dog was running nearby on the mansion grounds without him mentioning that it was a problem.  Apparently, things have changed.
>
> Folks have been running dogs on the mansion grounds for as long as I've lived in the Town (~15 years).  By not allowing people to run their dogs, fewer people make use of the facility.  Their presence deters vandalism.
>
> I am truly sorry to hear that this has become a problem.  It was a nice perk for our dog loving residents.
>
> Bruce
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vernon Archer
> Sent: Jun 27, 2008 8:11 AM
> To: TownTalk
> Subject: [RP TownTalk] Dogs, access and Riversdale Mansion
>
> Friends and neighbors,
>
> I have recently received a complaint from Ed Day, director of Riversdale Mansion, about people allowing their dogs to run free on the house grounds.  Every entrance is clearly posted that dogs need to be leashed and to not leave their droppings behind.  Ed informs me that more than one person who he recognizes as town residents routinely ignore this posting.
>
> Such actions are not only a violation of the grounds rules at Riversdale, but are also a patent violation of our town code and therefore a concern for our police and code enforcement officials. I hope a word to the wise will suffice, if not the law will be enforced.
>
> Unfortunately this issue comes on the heels of problems last summer with vandalism on the grounds and to the structures. We seem to have this problem under control now, but please report any suspicious activity you might see to the police immediately.
>
> Ed has shown me a number of correspondences from those higher up in Park and Planning and involved in historic preservation that the grounds should not only be "protected" against dogs visiting under any circumstances--except as assistants for the blind--but that as a national historic site the grounds should be locked during all hours that the mansion is not staffed.
>
> Now, both Ed and I are in agreement that we do not want to see things go there, but we the residents of Riverdale Park have a significant role to play in protecting this site. If you see someone on the grounds with their dogs off a leash, politely direct their attention to the signs requiring a leash.  If you see anyone damaging or threatening the facility please call the police immediately!
>
> I believe that by acting together as a community we can all continue to have easy and ready access to this facility, which I believe you will agree with me is a true treasure for our community, our state and our nation.
>
> Before concluding, I would like to state in writing what I've previously only said orally for our town's many dog owners.  I will gladly support and use the prestige of my office to facilitate the creation of a dog park in Riverdale Park.  If a group of dog owners will organize themselves and contact me on this matter I will assist you in such a venture.  There is substantial Park and Planning area in the town, and I am convinced that agency will work with us if an organized effort from dog owners is mounted.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Vern
>
> --
> Vernon Archer, Mayor
> Town of Riverdale Park, Maryland
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>   Subject:
> Re: [RP TownTalk] Dogs, access and Riversdale Mansion  From:
> "Alice Ewen Walker" <alice at ewenwalker.com> <alice at ewenwalker.com>  Date:
> Sat, 28 Jun 2008 22:42:50 -0400  To:
> bruce.wernek at mindspring.com   To:
> bruce.wernek at mindspring.com  CC:
> TownTalk <TownTalk at riverdale-park.org> <TownTalk at riverdale-park.org>
> It is nice that people used to run their dogs at the mansion unfettered,
> but please keep in mind that the grounds have been improved - that is a
> change that is worth consideration. If I recall correctly, nearly $500,000
> was donated to create the gardens and improve the grounds at the mansion in
> the last few years. The grass is also maintained at a higher level than in
> the past. It is so much nicer than it used to be.
>  Maybe standards are changing regarding dogs at the site, but it seems
> like a reasonable expectation given the effort put into the grounds.
>
>   - Alice
>
> On Fri, Jun 27, 2008 at 12:11 PM, <bruce.wernek at mindspring.com> wrote:
>
>>  Vern
>>
>> Ed has allowed dogs to run on the Mansion grounds since he took over the
>> management of the facility.  I have spoken to him numerous times while my
>> dog was running nearby on the mansion grounds without him mentioning that it
>> was a problem.  Apparently, things have changed.
>>
>> Folks have been running dogs on the mansion grounds for as long as I've
>> lived in the Town (~15 years).  By not allowing people to run their dogs,
>> fewer people make use of the facility.  Their presence deters vandalism.
>>
>> I am truly sorry to hear that this has become a problem.  It was a nice
>> perk for our dog loving residents.
>>
>> Bruce
>>
>>
>>  -----Original Message-----
>> From: Vernon Archer
>> Sent: Jun 27, 2008 8:11 AM
>> To: TownTalk
>> Subject: [RP TownTalk] Dogs, access and Riversdale Mansion
>>
>> Friends and neighbors,
>>
>> I have recently received a complaint from Ed Day, director of Riversdale
>> Mansion, about people allowing their dogs to run free on the house grounds.
>> Every entrance is clearly posted that dogs need to be leashed and to not
>> leave their droppings behind.  Ed informs me that more than one person who
>> he recognizes as town residents routinely ignore this posting.
>>
>> Such actions are not only a violation of the grounds rules at Riversdale,
>> but are also a patent violation of our town code and therefore a concern for
>> our police and code enforcement officials. I hope a word to the wise will
>> suffice, if not the law will be enforced.
>>
>> Unfortunately this issue comes on the heels of problems last summer with
>> vandalism on the grounds and to the structures. We seem to have this problem
>> under control now, but please report any suspicious activity you might see
>> to the police immediately.
>>
>> Ed has shown me a number of correspondences from those higher up in Park
>> and Planning and involved in historic preservation that the grounds should
>> not only be "protected" against dogs visiting under any
>> circumstances--except as assistants for the blind--but that as a national
>> historic site the grounds should be locked during all hours that the mansion
>> is not staffed.
>>
>> Now, both Ed and I are in agreement that we do not want to see things go
>> there, but we the residents of Riverdale Park have a significant role to
>> play in protecting this site. If you see someone on the grounds with their
>> dogs off a leash, politely direct their attention to the signs requiring a
>> leash.  If you see anyone damaging or threatening the facility please call
>> the police immediately!
>>
>> I believe that by acting together as a community we can all continue to
>> have easy and ready access to this facility, which I believe you will agree
>> with me is a true treasure for our community, our state and our nation.
>>
>> Before concluding, I would like to state in writing what I've previously
>> only said orally for our town's many dog owners.  I will gladly support and
>> use the prestige of my office to facilitate the creation of a dog park in
>> Riverdale Park.  If a group of dog owners will organize themselves and
>> contact me on this matter I will assist you in such a venture.  There is
>> substantial Park and Planning area in the town, and I am convinced that
>> agency will work with us if an organized effort from dog owners is mounted.
>>
>> Best wishes,
>>
>> Vern
>>
>> --
>> Vernon Archer, Mayor
>> Town of Riverdale Park, Maryland
>>
>>
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-- 
Vernon Archer, Mayor
Town of Riverdale Park, Maryland
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