When I first started going to Robert E. Lee Park ("Park back, with rules for dogs," Oct. 13) eight years ago, I would take a bucket to carry out the broken glass, used condoms, hypodermic needles, liquor bottles, plastic bags and cans. I carried out at least two pounds, sometimes up to 10 pounds every day. Lately I just take broken glass and cans out of the water itself.
This horrible stuff wasn't brought in by dog people, who have been demonized all over Baltimore. Responsible dog owners use the park day in and day out, snow, rain and sunshine, dawn to nightfall; picnickers don't do that. Dogs discourage people who are up to no good. Will only dog owners have to pay a fee to use a public park?
As a Baltimore resident whose taxes for 18 years helped support what was a city park, I'm now denied use of any of the 415 acres. And people with three dogs, fully licensed and well-behaved, are denied use of the fenced off "dog park." Well, have fun picking up the trash as I won't be doing it any more.
Linda C. Franklin, Baltimore