The Edmonds Historical Museum, which runs the summer Saturday farmers market in downtown Edmonds, reminds visitors that dogs won’t be allowed in the market starting Aug. 1.
The reason for the change is simple, organizers say: The weekly summer market has become too crowded to accommodate dogs, which present a tripping hazard.
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What an unfortunate turn of events for our Edmonds community! I enjoy the dogs, the children, the families, the entire community gathering as much as the vendors who participate. No one seems to trip over the small children, oversized strollers or folks who might need a cane, walker or wheelchair.
And why the arbitrary August 1st date? Seems to me that the Saturday Market is just as busy in July as it is in August or September.
I think the reason they waited until Aug.1 is to give people as much notice as possible.
I really hope they’ll rethink this decision. The dogs are part of the market experience. I’ve never had a problem…..seems like all the owners keep their dogs on leashes and are very considerate of others. I love the market, but will miss seeing all the dogs there.
Thank you Edmonds Summer Market. Last year as I pulling my cash out I looked down to see a lab licking my radishes and carrots, The dog owner walked away, I wasn’t going to pay for those veggies, and the vendor was left with no sale. Over the last few years I’ve seen more and more bad behavior by dogs and the owners and have witnessed other situations like dogs fighting, defecating, etc that ultimately hurt the vendors.
Priority has to be given to the vendors….they pay for space, work hard growing or making their wares, and if people can’t get close enough to the table because dogs, leashes, and owners block access again the vendors lose. The vendors will win with no dogs allowed.
I am a vendor at the market, a dog lover and a dog owner. I enjoy seeing the wide variety of pooches out for the day with their owners. I do not enjoy it when they pee on my tent weights while their owners think it’s cute. Scrubbing, disinfecting and perfuming has not gotten that subtle smell out which means every dog that goes by wants to pee there too. I won’t miss that.
Why does it seem Edmonds hates dogs and dog owners so much? Tripping hazard? There seems to be this coalition of dog haters who has such influence to get these bans instituted, futher alienating dog owners in our community. Soon dogs will be banned from sidewalks … What about children and strollers that get in the way?
I will miss taking my dogs who have never; licked, peed, barked, fought with others (need I go on) I did not take them during peak hours or on hot days for their comfort and safety. The unfortunate part of all of this is that people are not always very good at “watching” their dogs (flexi leashes included) so it will affect everyone else.
I do understand the reasons for the ban and appreciate the need to protect the vendors but will miss the real Market experience.
This really sucks. The market atmosphere is a great, positive way to socialize a dog with people. It really is about tolerance. I tolerate the oversized strollers, children running in and out of the stalls, walkers, wheelchairs, dogs, etc….. isn’t that life?? It really is a shame, but I won’t be attending the summer market anymore.
I celebrate this new policy! Several years ago the city of Bend, OR, enacted an ordinance to prohibit animals at such public events. The Twisp, WA, Saturday market also has such a policy. What a relief. Once last year I counted over 30 dogs at the Edmonds market. None of them looked happy. This is a win for the animals and patrons. Thanks!!!!!
Bah, Humbug!
Edmonds will become the prettiest Washington town with no one wishing to visit.
While the market itself has its merits, one of the main reasons to go is to socialize, and that includes bringing the pups.
I understand the desire for a staid, sterile market experience that some people seem to prize, though I would rather have the noise and tangle of leashes any day. What is next, no children? Perhaps we should screen people to make sure they are actually going to buy something, so that the market is not crowded with browsers? That would be far more efficient. Or we could have a formal cueing system, and one way walking traffic for each aisle.
Quite simply put, life was not meant to be orderly and sterile. Our market is our greatest draw during the summer, for a wide demographic, because it is free, and fun. This change will affirm in the minds of many that Edmonds really is “Deadmonds”, run by retirees for the sole benefit of retirees.
As a dog owner, Marina off leash park user, and concerned citizen enjoying a community get-together like the Farmers Market, nothing better than a victory for common sense and the greater good. Give it some thought, and you might be surprised at the good will you generate without bring your dog. Could even making parking easier.
Great conversation everyone. I appreciate each one of your perspectives. Thank you!
You have confirmed for me many thoughts & speculations I’ve had about our little community. And I continue thinking that we all want Edmonds to remain vibrant – great!
It *is* unfortunate that bad behavior – whether from humans or animals – spoils events & gatherings for everyone. My hope is that we’ll clearly & directly address any & all bad manners and poor behavior when it happens.
In the mean time, support your local businesses, the Edmonds Heritage Museum, the Summer Market, local growers & artists.
Enjoy your summer ..
I’m sure this decision was made with much thought and angst by the Museum committee. I can’t imagine that is was easy knowing that so many people would be upset by it. I can see both sides of the picture but really, when have you seen a child poop in the street or licking someone’s produce. No one is going to ban children from the market, I see this statement as overreacting to the situation. While I will miss seeing the dogs at the market, I won’t miss getting crossed up in dog leashes that stretch across an aisle while the owners chat. And I don’t think this is an issue of dog haters either, another overreaction in my mind.
Lastly why would you boycott the market because of this decision. I don’t get that. I guess if you decide not to visit the market because of the dog issue you are hurting those trying to make a living and it is your loss as well.
Melissa:
I believe that you summed up the situation very well.
Maybe some clever dog walker will set up a booth at the market, and take the pooches for a stroll while the owners enjoy the market! A win, win for all.
I like your idea Diane T!!
Kudos for the decision to have dogs left home or in a well ventilated car. The market
is a great place, but dogs don’t be long there, in supermarkets or restaurants. Most
people use good sense with their animals, but bringing a dog the size of a horse, or
two or 3 at a time, or stringing leases out for people to trip over is not good sense. The
call of nature for animals shouldn’t even have to be mentioned, but obviously it does
happen. Thank you John Owens for speaking up for all of us who are happy to see
the dogs relegated to a more appropriate place. And I say, “Bring on the strollers, the
toddlers, the walkers and wheel chairs and the teenagers with their instruments. Yahoo.”
I have to take issue with the gentleman who counted the dogs one Saturday and ascertained that they secretly hate being there. Our dog leads a pretty darned good life, and his absolute favorite thing is to attend the market. We’ll bring him to hang out by Sound Styles or Starbucks so he can enjoy the people and whatever dogs come that far, but this will change our experience of the market, and not for the better.
I will Return to the Market after this decision. I’ve been reluctant to attend due to the dog Owners who are the real problem, not the dogs. I will enjoy the Market without the dogs. Perhaps all of the problem dog owners won’t attend either and I won’t miss them at all.
This is an over reaction to a problem that can be solved in other manner. How about having a beat cop at the market policing activities? How about requiring dog owners to buy a special yearly, license having a nominal fee which require them to sign a pledge of responsibility and withdrawing the license upon receiving complaints? It is a shame that a few, irresponsible dog owners have ruined it for everyone.
As someone said earlier, it seems as if Edmonds really has something against dogs. You can’t visit any park, playfield, etc without being bombarded by “No Dogs Allowed” signs, and now this…it’s really sad. My wife and I visited the market this past weekend with our Labrador and our 11 week old baby. I can honestly say that our baby’s stroller was a bigger nuisance than any dog I observed, mine included.
As someone mentioned, dogs aren’t welcome in grocery stores or restaurants…..so why don’t you go there to shop/dine if you’d like to avoid dogs? Leave the market to us dog lovers.
My dog enjoys going to the market, which is the majority of the reason that we go on most weekends. With my dog comes my wallet. While I won’t intentionally boycott the market because of this decision, I know I will be attending much less frequently.
The summer market has alway’s been fun for me, i love petting the dogs and taking my own dog there. Market’s like this give the dog to socialize with humans/animals and is a great experience for the animals to work on their skills. Maybe insisted of banning dogs they should think about educating the public on how a dog and their owner act in situations like this one.
We take our dogs everywhere they have stayed at many many 5 star hotels, they go in stores, they go to pike place market and they can’t got the the Edmonds market? Really wow! Let me tell you what my husband, our dogs and I were exposed to today strollers the size of canoes which I almost fell over and if I fall I would break a hip hmmm who would get sued then? Then came , screaming and crying children with very snotty noses while we were having lunch outside with our dogs who were in a down stay position parents didn’t care abut us. We must have had 20 people come up wanting to meet our dogs. Whoever made this decision made a poor decision you should have asked the people first. We will no longer attend the market….and people that don’t like animals don’t deserve to be in our company..our dogs are our family we don’t descrimate. If you have a bad dog that is your fault and you should be allowed anywhere with your dogs.
Sorry my last lined should have said we don’t discriminate and also I meant if you have a bad dog you should NOT be allowed anywhere that’s what I get for typing too fast
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Enjoy!
I’m a cat. Everybody wants to be a cat, because a cat’s the only cat that knows where it’s at! I’ve been following My Edmonds News and Channel 21. Now that I don’t need a license, I’m free to wander thru the Saturday Market. I sure hope they get rid of those steenking dogs!
As much as I like pooches, I do not enjoy them bumping into me, or stepping over leaches, or seeing toddlers uneasy with big dogs crowding so close to them.
Yes, it was a hard, and to some an unpopular decision to keep dogs out of the Saturday Market. But I think this decision benefits most vendors, and most of us walking in an already super crowded, narrow pathway through this festive market.
I was at the market last weekend as well and observed several dogs being walked or
carried around. I agree there is no excuse for rudeness. If, however,simply being
told in an informative tone that dogs are not allowed is being rude I would disagree.
You did the correct thing in the first place, that is, not bringing your dog into the market
place.
Seeing people bringing their dogs into the market place now that there is a rule that
they are not to be there is like watching someone cut in line at the ferry dock or bring
oversized bags on a plane. It irritates people when they see others disregards rules,
laws or the safety of others.
Excellent comments, Beverly!
As a frequent Edmonds Saturday Market customer I have enjoyed many joyful afternoons strolling the venue with my happy, well behaved pooch. The market has always seemed to me a fabulous place to bring the whole family, dogs included, for a vibrant social experience. Today I was informed, while waiting patiently to the side of a stall for the passing foot traffic to clear, that my dog is no longer welcome at the market. The man, who I’m sure was a volunteer just doing his job, offered no explanation just shoved a photocopied slip of paper my way. While I refused the paper I did head home immediately to see what could possibly be the reason for this startling change in policy. I am LIVID to find that the reason given is that the market is too busy to accomodate dogs, which present a “tripping hazard.” Are you kidding me?!? What about the many over-sized strollers, children, people with walkers and canes and let’s not forget the folks having a stop and chat in the middle of walkways? Dogs are not the problem – rude people without consideration for the needs of others are the problem. With this new policy in place I think the market will find that they are not nearly so crowded and busy as they once were – I for one will not be spending my money there any longer and I would urge other dog owners to do the same.
If I am walking my dog in Edmonds and need to get from the fountain to the other side of Bell or even up Bell St. I don’t think they can stop me. The streets belong to the public. Now if they fenced it off that would be another story. All I would have to say is that it’s a service dog. When I walked my dog through the market I kept a short leash. I am owned by a loving Greyhound. Kids loved to pet him.
The problem is people that don’t control their dogs. Thanks for ruining it for thr rest of us. A vendor friend of mine says her friends are boycotting the market and yes there seems to be less people. I did see about 8 to 10 dogs there today.
Also the signs that say no dogs is small and confusing.
A big part of the appeal of the Edmonds market has always been the family atmosphere and the happy pooches are a big part of that. In all my years of visiting the market (I have been an Edmonds local for 15 years) I have yet to see a truly badly behaved dog there. Pet owner know if their dog can be trusted in a crowd. Yes, occasionally the owners themselves are inconsiderate just as parents with small children can be.
I understand the desire to address issues caused by neglectful pet owners, but why must we leapt straight to the most extreme solution?
My suggestion: publish a code of conduct that clearly states expected standards:
Pet owners – we welcome your Well Behaved dogs.
Please follow the guidelines below to ensure a pleasant market experience for everyone:
– No fighting! No biting!
– Dogs must be next to you on a short leash at all times
– Keep doggy mouths away from vendor products – especially produce.
– No peeing on stalls or equipment. The ‘aroma’ is Very hard to get out.
– Remove poop immediately.
Most of the behaviors people have been complaining about are probably things the offenders didn’t even realize were a problem. Let’s give them a chance to change their behavior, rather than ruining market day for all animal lovers.
wow I walked down to the Farmers market today with my Bernese mnt dog like I’ve done the past 7 years and was very frustrated to see we where not wanted! I just went to the cash machine to spend my $50-$100 dollars like I do almost every weekend, my family likes to support the local farmers…I guess it’s better for the few that can’t be bothered by dogs! I would suggest going to QFC they don’t allow dogs! I’m curious if this actually an ordinance? Am I going to get arrested or fined for walking through a public street with my furry friend? Edmonds Historical committee should be dissolved! I’m serious I’m going to look into why they are over seeing the Farmers market and not the city counsel I elected?
Just seeing this. I hope the decision was reversed for ’13. The market has been a dog-friendly market and since there are many markets to choose from I think it is possible to keep that refreshing aspect. People can choose to come or not instead of conforming our experience to the average.
Love dogs. Sad I won’t often go to this market for this reason. (If my dog becomes any trouble for anyone, he ends up in the car anyway. I’m guessing the issue is really with the dogs owners.) By the way, ) Edmonds has a reputation for being anti-dog (except for the one wonderful “dog park,” dogs are generally not permitted anywhere). So this doesn’t surprise me at all.