Did you know that a forest protects itself in more ways than one? Many residents of Fairfield County who have clear-cut New England woodlands to pave way for their exorbitant McMansions realize the effect of leaving but a few trees with each passing storm. Sure, we can complain about the electric company’s performance when our last trees fall across roadways, disabling power lines and halting the flow of traffic, but just like this last tree in Spencer’s Run, most often, the damage is caused by our own actions. 

Here we see one of the few remaining trees in Spencer’s Run snapped in half from a subtle wind. There was no storm nor forceful gale that snapped this tree. It simply dried and died from the abusive treatment of the land beneath our feet. We scraped the top soil, cut down the protective grouping of trees that covered this area and left a single young tree in the middle of a muddy and fertilized dog romp.

There is no question that the effects of our actions are not always immediate. Here is an example. Take note of how many trees in the Spencer’s Run dog walk have fallen in the past year and a half. The end is upon us and the more we pave, cut and destroy the natural landscape the more effect it will have, not just the health of a few trees but on the health of our children. Way to Go New Canaan. I wonder who thought dogs prefer open fields to woodlands?

I didn’t point out the dangers to these responsible parents enjoying frigid family fun this time, but I did leave the video camera rolling to capture the inevitable. As a dog owner and parent of a young sledder I highly advise against sledding inside any dog run. Bringing children into a dog park adds responsibility for their behavior and a risk to their safety. Wrapping them up in fuzzy, furry winter wear and sending them screaming down a hill makes them a target for animal instincts. The fact they ‘got away with it’ this day was against the odds.

As tropical storm Irene made her way through Spencer’s Run in Waveny Park she uprooted one of the few remaining trees and knocked a large branch onto the perimeter fence with crushing force.

View a small gallery of images from Sunday, August 28th, 2001

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After six-week of “drying out” during our rainy season, the park is expected to open by noon. Some wonder whether new rules will be implemented restricting dog behavior in order to satisfy the legalese of maintenance.

Get out and enjoy the wonders of Waveny Park, New Canaan’s woodland gem and recreation area for a myriad of activities.

Those on the spencersrun.org email list or visitors to the website received this message:

How frustrating indeed to arrive on a sunny Saturday (I arrived simultaneously with 3 other cars full of family and dogs) only to walk to the gates of Spencer’s Run to find a closed sign.

The practical reason it’s closed is to allow the grass to grow. One can refer to this website to find article after article, since the opening of Spencer’s Run, regarding their never-ending battle to maintain aesthetically pleasing grass. Since it’s inception, there has never been pretty grass. Close the park for 6 weeks, let the grass grow, then open the gates only to witness canines don’t tread lightly and in a matter of a week, it’s back to ‘normal’.

…Just had to post this seldom seen sight.

BTW: The almost 2 feet of snow didn’t deter canines and their companions from enjoying the outdoors in New Canaan’s wonder-full Waveny Park on the once pristine Lapham Estate.

Sunday’s howling wind, light snowfall and sub-zero temperatures didn’t stop residents from visiting Spencer’s Run dog park in Waveny.

The wind whipped across the Waveny athletic field blowing snow and a bitter chill that brought temperatures down to zero degrees Fahrenheit Sunday.

As I sorted through my closet for my warmest winter cap, the one with the fur ear flaps, I felt a tingle of anticipation at the prospect of a walk through the wintry landscape. After calling a few friends who were at home lounging Sunday away in pajamas and complaining about sub-zero temperatures outside, I thought surely I would be alone.

To my surprise Spencer’s Run had visitors! There were a dozen canines running about, their owners throwing tennis balls, frisbees and chatting as if it were any other Sunday. One of the greatest things about this day in the park; No one was complaining. I can’t tell you what a joy it was to be outside. After 20 minutes socializing in Spencer’s Run, I clipped up the leash and went for a walk over the Waveny trails with my pooch.

A friend called – the coldest moment I experienced was holding that phone without a glove – he and his daughter would meet us with their dog. …and that’s how we spent our Sunday afternoon in Waveny. We walked for almost two hours. When our conversation turned to hot chocolate and the warm fire at home, we turned back toward the cars and called it a day. A beautiful day in Waveny Park.

It was zero degrees today. We saw cross-country skiers, kids sledding, dogs playing. We saw interesting stones in an old stone wall and some neat looking trees. We kicked snow piles and crunched frozen puddles. We joked around and had a family good time. We put on a jacket and took up adventure in Waveny today.