Re: Dogs' romp curbed at park, by Ron Matus, April 25.
This is a condensed version of a letter the writer sent to Tampa parks director Ross Ferlita.
This morning alone I saw two rabbits, six roseate spoonbills, an ibis, a crane, three pelicans, numerous sandpiper flocks and various other birds. On other occasions, I have seen eagles, dolphins, stingrays and blue heron. All this while exercising my dog at Cypress Point Park. I have never seen humans enjoying the water there, except to fish, or maybe to wash some sand off their toes.
Anyone who has spent time there knows that this park would be far from an idyllic beach and picnic area, so I wonder why the city has plans to make it such. Aside from the stingrays, oyster/clam beds, clay deposits and the asphalt found on or near the shoreline (which would inhibit human swimming and/or add to injury potential), the noise pollution from Tampa International Airport would dissuade those seeking a relaxing, peaceful atmosphere. But, the animals don't seem to mind it at all.
The so-called "dog parks" the city has recently established are a joke to dog owners. They should be called dog pens, as they are nothing more than caged sandlots where dogs have no more freedom to roam than while in a boarding kennel. I have never seen dogs at any of these dog parks running around carefree. I see them meander around sniffing the fence line as if wishing to break free. An occasional energetic one may actually lope to fetch a ball. I have yet to see a dog park that allowed water access at a beach or lake where dogs could be unfettered. The Davis Islands dog park is the only one with water access. However, the surf is generally so rough due to weather or harbor traffic that the dogs don't really enjoy swimming there and who knows what sorts of pollution to which they're being exposed or ingesting. Additionally, the beach is so small, dogs can't even get up to a good trot before it ends, much less chase wildlife at full speed.
It seems to me that Cypress Point is, despite the litter, one of the few beaches left in this city virtually uncontaminated by man and manmade structures. Instead of ruining that effect, why doesn't the city invest in more trash cans and bring the "chain gangs" out to pick up the litter on a regular basis? Aren't the endless miles of beaches around here, good enough for us humans? How about we leave this place to the birds, and the dogs?
-- Erin Birchall, Palma Ceia
What's in a name? A street name, that is
Re: A Lumb became a Lamb, by Susan Thurston, April 25.
The Classical Greek blind poet Homer, while probably not original, must have been highly intelligent to remember and recite multiple epic poems. He has had the posthumous misfortune of having his name associated with a balding animated idiot. These things happen, but it's no reason to change the street name.
The Lumb-Lamb change is probably correct, most of the surrounding streets that were laid at the same time also bear the names of literary figures. Mr. Steinberg could do more research, and find that Dante Street is also named after someone who never set foot in the United States. Omar never visited either. Homer didn't even know of the continent's existence. I don't think being a pivotal local figure had much to do with who the streets were named after.
I personally dislike street names such as the ones you were suggesting. They have no substance to them. They also remind me of the silly sprawling developments in the north of Tampa and Brandon. Admittedly, street names are pretty trivial, but I don't think my life would be any less complicated if I lived on Simplicity Place (North Tampa, VillaRosa).
-- Andy Tippin, Sunset Park
[Last modified May 1, 2003, 11:12:07]
