Why Aren't Dogs Allowed at Kirkwood Preserve?

The decision to restrict dogs at Kirkwood Preserve was deliberated carefully by the Trust's Board of Trustees and was voted on unanimously shortly after the purchase of the preserve in 2005. All Trustees and staff members are dog lovers and would love to walk their dogs at Kirkwood, but after careful consideration, realized that it is best to have an area where wildlife can exist undisturbed by dogs. To summarize, the Board felt strongly that dogs should be prohibited from the Preserve for the following reasons:

• Kirkwood Preserve is considered the most important grassland bird nesting site in the entire Willistown Area and WCT is actively managing to promote these species. In fact, much of our grant money to purchase Kirkwood came from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources with this in mind. While many dog owners would respect this importance and keep their dogs on leash, there are the unfortunate owners who would not. When grassland birds such as meadowlarks are forced to leave their nests, their nest almost always fails. We cannot take the chance on the few owners who don’t know or don’t care.

• Regarding dog feces, obviously, this is a concern, both from an aesthetic as well as a water quality point of view. WCT has a small staff dedicated to protecting and managing land in the area, and staff time spent picking up dog waste is not efficient. Unfortunately, again, some owners do not act responsibly.

• Dog fights do occur and again WCT staff cannot be on hand to be sure everyone’s visit is peaceful.

• Some owners do not think it is a problem when dogs run towards and jump up on other people, sometimes seriously scaring children and others. Inevitably, just as at Okehocking, we will be receiving letters from people who are upset that dogs are permitted on the Preserve. I hope you see the Catch 22 we are in.

Of all the above, the most important is that the major premise for protecting the Preserve was to keep intact its ecological integrity. Unfortunately, permitting dogs onto the Preserve is anathema to this premise. Dogs are permitted at Okehocking Preserve, which is managed by Willistown Township, who is going through some real managerial issues dealing with the dog problems there. Willistown Township has a bigger budget and staff, and the mandate for Okehocking allows for a more intense use, thus the permitted dogs. (You may note next time you are there how many people keep their dogs on a leash and how many don’t.)

Your support for the Trust is very important to us as we continue to add to the protected lands in the area and protect the wildlife that is so threatened by development. Please feel free to contact our Land Stewardship Manager with any questions or concerns.