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By Bette Bell
Changes are what life is all about, and the Edmonds Museum Summer market does not escape this inevitability. Regrettably, the market has to institute a no-animal policy at the market. As as of August 1, 2012, no dogs or animals of any kind will be allowed in the market, except for service animals.
This decision was made due to complaints received, about the misbehavior of some pets. The market has managed, since 1994, to have had very few issues, but a dog threatening to bite a child at the Garden Market this year, has changed that policy. The Edmonds Museum, the sponsor of the Summer Market, does not want anyone bitten, or challenged, by pets that would be better off left at home, and several complaints have come in, in this regard. So, much to the dismay of the responsible market patrons who bring well-behaved pets, this step has had to be taken.
The market committee realizes that many folks love to walk their pets on a beautiful Saturday morning, and come to the market. It is a tradition! The committee makes this decision, knowing that the safety of the children must be our first consideration.
Another change that will take place at the market is the location of the White Elephant table. This popular market attraction will now be located next to the museum steps. All the proceeds, from the donated items , goes to the museum, and are used for a variety of projects, to include the market itself, the Halloween Haunted Museum, participation in the July 4th parade, and many other projects.
Donations are always welcome, as that is our only source of inventory for the White Elephant table. While you are doing your spring cleaning, think about donating those good, but unused, or unnecessary items to the market. We accept clean and working small appliances, glass, china, brass, tools, books, sport item and other useful and collectible items. We can no longer accept textiles of any kind, and of course, no furniture. Storage is always an issue. Bring the items to the market on Saturday, or to the museum, during hours of operation, Wed.-Sun 1-4 pm. Please mark your donations “Edmonds Summer Market”.
The Edmonds Museum looks forward to another good year. Getting to know our neighbors, share stories, good food, and have the opportunity to buy some of the freshest, locally grown produce around, as well as see the creative side of the vendors who bring us the lovely objects they have made; that is what it is all about.
The Edmonds Museum Summer Market is looking forward to those hazy, lazy summer days ahead, and we hope you come and visit, stay an hour or a day, and know “It is an Edmonds Kind of Day” every Saturday at the market.
For more information, go to historicedmonds.org.
The logic of this decision is incredibly flawed…
Are you considering banning all adults from the market should there be an altercation between two adults? Banning all kids if there is an altercation between two kids? (Ok, that’s pushing this logic to absurdity)
Though clearly under this logic, dogs/pets should be banned from all public places because they could cause an incident at any moment.
If this were purely a private event/location, I wouldn’t have an issue. Any business or landowner can set the rules for their location as they choose. However this is an event that uses public streets and resources, and we as a city already have great laws dealing with pets. I’m sure that our city laws will take care of any incident involving an animal.
Until then, let the 99% of people who are out walking their dogs enjoy walking through the market to pick up fruits, veggies, flowers and more. This is a highlight of Edmonds and those in charge should have a bit more discretion and backbone.
Let’s not let one bad apple spoil the bunch…
Waaaa Waaaa Waaaa. Frankly, i don’t own a dog, but I love most dogs and think most of them are sweet and adorable. However, i have walked thru the market at least once every saturday during the summer and love to see folks i know and visit vendors and purchase things. More then once during my visits i have either come upon a pod of dog groupies and their sweet little canines. The dogs are sniffing up a storm and the groupies are visiting, clueless to the criss crossed leases and blocked walkways for other market visitors trying to make their way through the mess. The other issue is that I once stepped onto a pile of dog poop that was in the middle of the side walk at the market. I kid you not. I have also seen dropped poop bags tossed onto the bushes with poop in them. What’s up with that? Over the years i have watched dogs that were hot and tired and agitated snap at children. then there are the hugmungous dogs.
Thank you Edmonds Museum for taking action to hopefully eliminate dog problems as noted by Sue Barnett. At one time I was a dog owner and would never subject the dog or market shoppers to walk in the crowded market. I venture to say most canine would rather be romping at the dog park or walking in a quiet area. Maybe Allan James should rethink his hostile comments. I think “those in charge” did demonstrate “discretion and backbone” with their decision on the dog ban.
There are other areas in Edmonds which allow pets. I noticed a sign at Hazel Miller Plaza that said dogs with leashes are welcome. The museum market is crowded. I have observed dogs snarling and going at each other, the owners desperately trying to keep them in control. So far I haven’t observed children snarling and threatening each other. The market people made a difficult but wise decision.
I have a more fundamental comment. The market takes place on a public street and I know of no City Ordinance banning dogs from city streets. The Edmonds Museum Board does not have any legal authority to enact any restriction on public property, only the City Council may restrict (ban) dogs from public streets. Where does the City Council stand on this?
Taking a different approach, think about this from the dogs perspective.
Yippee, yippee we’re going for a walk, I can hardly wait to smell all the bushes and trees and find great places to mark my spot (in others words pee on). Wow the dog beach, I love to go there. I can run and sniff all the other dogs and even chase balls. Maybe I’ll go for a swim, I love it when my people take me to such fun places. Oh bother, here we go again…..the crowded Summer Market. I’ve got to go poop and can’t even find a small little grassy spot to do my business. Then there’s all those legs.and feet…so many of them, makes me a bit anxious. Here comes that tough guy who just doesn’t know his manners, always wanting to pick a fight. Most likely he doesn’t like the crowds either and would rather be any where else but the market. I know I’m cute and adorable but enough is enough….I just want to be a dog and do dog things.
As a side note. I am a major dog lover, I have two dogs that I have adopted yet I know the best places to take them and it’s not in crowds or around other dogs. I also have a 2 year old grand daughter who my dogs are kept separate from. I would never forgive myself if one of them were to snap at her or worse yet scare her for life both physically and emotionally because my dog terrorized her. I commend the Summer Market staff for making a very difficult decision. Let’s not forget not all folks love our pets as much as we do, some might even be afraid having been terrorized as a child.