By Laura Weisskopf Bleill
Once upon a time, I had no children.
For our first wedding anniversary, my husband gave me a toy dog that barked. It was his way of saying, “it’s time to get a puppy.”
I took my puppy everywhere in those early months. We went to puppy class, to the pet supplies store, and pretty much everywhere else that would allow dogs. Most of my determination stemmed from the fact that growing up our family’s dog hated the car. She knew that pretty much the only time she went in one was to visit the vet, and she would cower under the seat the whole ride. I didn’t want that to be my dog.
One of our favorite places to go in those days (she is 7 now) was the Market at the Square. She was wonderful around kids and other dogs, so it was a great experience for her — and me. Bringing her allowed me to meet many new friends — including the new mayor of Champaign, Don Gerard. He and I first met because of our dogs enjoyed seeing each other at the Market.
Then I became a mom, and my dog’s visits to the Market became fewer and fewer. Managing a stroller and a dog is not easy, even when we’re just walking around the neighborhood let alone a crowded outdoor festival. In the heat of summer, the sun beating down on the dark asphalt was hard on my pup’s paws. And with the relocation of Common Ground Co-op and my reliance on Art Mart Toys to fill my need for many birthday party and baby gifts, it just wasn’t practical — or safe — or convenient to bring her anymore.
As of this year, Market at the Square has stopped allowing dogs (and all pets), so the point is moot. It’s not surprising that the Market (run by the City of Urbana) has made this decision. It’s been about five years since dogs were banned at other popular local outdoor festivals, including the Taste of Champaign-Urbana. This isn’t just a local trend; I did a quick scan of other Big Ten cities, and dogs are not allowed at farmers’ markets in Iowa City, Evanston, Bloomington, Ann Arbor, and West Lafayette just to name a few. In California, it is illegal to have dogs at farmers’ markets; there are many other places on the West Coast where this is common.
The Market, too, has changed over the years. With all the ready-to-consume food vendors, performers and other non-food vendors now at the Market, it has grown to have a multi-faceted purpose. It has become our weekly outdoor festival.
Frankly, this policy makes sense. My perspective is a bit different these days as a veteran market-goer. I’ve seen too many dogs that aren’t well behaved. Dogs who have scared children, dogs that are threatening to other dogs. The Market has grown at such a rapid pace, and especially in high season it is so crowded that I can’t imagine bringing a dog into that setting. It’s very high-stress for an animal (and even for some people!).
The Market at the Square has been around for more than three decades. In that time, both Urbana (in 2003) and subsequently Champaign (2009) have opened dog parks, places where dogs can run off-leash, and socialize with other dogs and people. (By the way, both dog parks have rules against having children under 6 there for safety reasons.) There are plenty of other opportunities to socialize dogs in our community.
Let’s face it, ours is a litigious society. Continuing to allow dogs was putting the Market itself at risk. The safety of all human patrons should come first. This policy will enable the Market to continue as one of the best in the Midwest.
I am sure now and then I will get a little pang remembering the days of yore when I used to spend time with my special canine pal at the Market. And I know that she misses cleaning up all the kettle corn the children leave behind.
But I know in the long run it’s better — for her and for us — to leave our pup at home on those glorious summer Saturday mornings we spend at the Market at the Square.
Laura Weisskopf Bleill is the co-founder and editor of chambanamoms.com. You can reach her at laura@chambanamoms(dot)com.