More than 100 dog walkers in Cape Elizabeth have banded together to find an alternative solution to a new leash requirement being imposed in Robinson Woods.

The new rule, which took effect Dec. 1, requires all dogs to be kept on a leash after 9 a.m. daily. But dog walkers say that the new requirement hinders their ability to enjoy the trail system to its full potential, and that dogs aren’t able to get proper exercise on a leash.

“I feel that most dogs, especially large breeds, are happier and healthier if allowed some off-leash exercise daily,” said Mary Volin, a Cape Elizabeth resident who has used the Robinson Woods property for 37 years. “Dogs need some time to be dogs.”

During the past few months, several residents have reported encounters with aggressive dogs in Robinson Woods. Since August, the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust, which owns the 143-acre preserve, learned of at least five separate incidents involving three unleashed dogs in which users of the property had been bitten, chased or attacked.

Dogs are allowed off leash in Robinson Woods from sunrise until 9 a.m., and owners are required to keep their animals under voice control. In addition to the recent dog attacks, other factors contributing to the policy change include the increase in dog waste on and off the trails and the impact of off-leash dogs on wildlife.

Robinson Woods, off Shore Road, has been one of Cape Elizabeth’s most popular destinations for bikers, walkers, bird watchers and dog walkers for several years.

“Since these new rules went into effect, (the land trust) has heard from many people who are unhappy with the restrictions, as well as hearing from many people who are grateful that (the land trust) is addressing a situation they feel has been unsafe and unwelcoming for too long,” wrote the land trust’s executive director, Chris Franklin, in an email Tuesday.

Volin said she and her husband, who live near the property, were using it once, sometimes twice, a day. But since the land trust began implementing the new leash rule, Volin said she and many others have not returned. Instead, residents are retreating to other off-leash destinations like Fort Williams to exercise their dogs.

“As a senior with a bad knee, I cannot walk safely on an icy path with two dogs on leash, even though my dogs are well trained,” said Volin, owner of an 11-year-old Chihuahua named Carmen and a year-old black Lab named Partner.

“I wish that a more measured approach had been taken in addressing the problem,” she said. “By starting with such a large-scale restriction, it is impossible to know if other, less-restrictive and more equitable solutions could work.”

A group of local Robinson Woods users, calling themselves the Robinson Woods Dog Walkers, is dedicated to monitoring the property and reminding others about the new policy, said Sheila Wellehan, another Cape Elizabeth dog walker. On behalf of the group, Wellehan said several residents were “shocked” and “saddened” to learn about the new leash rule, and have requested the land trust to compromise with the dog walkers.

Don Clark, who has lived in Cape Elizabeth for 19 years with his wife, Anne, finds Robinson Woods to be “an incredible community asset. I love walking my dog Charleston there. Honestly, Charlie is never happier than when he is in Robinson Woods. It’s just an incredible place.”

Clark said he hopes the land trust can reevaluate the issue and compromise with users of Robinson Woods to allow more off-leash access to the property.

Walking through Robinson Woods typically takes more than an hour, said Clark. In the winter, the sun does not rise until 7 a.m. leaving a two-hour window that “really isn’t that accommodating.

“It’s impacting a large number of people,” Clark said of the new leash rule. “When you make it a shorter window, you’ve increased dog density. It’s affected my view of Robinson Woods. Is this a place where the public is given access and people can enjoy the space? Or is it a space that will be limited to a few people?”

After meeting with local police and residents this past fall to gather feedback on how to address the safety concerns, land trust board members – many of whom walk their dogs in Robinson Woods regularly – voted unanimously at their October meeting to limit off-leash use daily after 9 a.m.

The Cape Elizabeth Land Trust is hosting two community meetings on Tuesday, Jan. 20, and Thursday, Jan 22, from 7-9 p.m. at Cape Elizabeth Community Services to gather input from residents and provide more details about the recent policy changes in Robinson Woods, including the new leash requirement.

“The decision to adopt the leash rule was in response to public comments about aggressive dog behavior in Robinson Woods from people who felt threatened and unsafe continuing to visit the property,” Franklin said. “The working sessions will help people have a better understanding of a complex issue, which will in turn lead to better solutions.”

Wellehan, who has used Robinson Woods for 14 years, said for many people, getting to the property before 9 a.m. every day is nearly impossible. Among the many reasons residents and visitors have historically used the property include their ability to exercise and enjoy nature with their dogs off leash, she said.

“It’s incredibly beautiful and it’s also very central,” said Wellehan, who walks her two dogs, Bear and Annie, in Robinson Woods on a regular basis.

Other areas in Cape Elizabeth that allow off-leash dogs include Winnick Woods and Gull Crest Field, she said. She worries that over time the new leash rule in Robinson Woods will continue to push dog walkers away and then those areas will become too crowded.

Wellehan said most of the dog waste she has seen has been off the trails rather than on the trails, and most users are generally good stewards of the property.

“Many people don’t know they’re supposed to pick up (waste) off the trails,” and believe it’s better to leave it alone than trample on the vegetation, she said. “I’m always picking up trash. Over the years, I’ve picked up far more human trash than dog waste,” like candy wrappers or beer cans.

She and the other regular dog walkers would like to provide outreach and education to other Robinson Woods users, including posting eye-catching signs on the property and providing regular updates on the group’s Facebook page.

The dog walkers group also hopes to develop a relationship with the local animal control officer, and create a culture of self-policing and responsibility. They’ve also discussed holding group cleanups of Robinson Woods, said Wellehan.

“If the land trust knows of an event, we would be delighted to go in the afternoon before and make sure that it’s spotless,” she said.

“We support the land trust and share the land trust’s mission,” said Wellehan. “We want to partner with the land trust to address the reasons for the change and to work on solutions together. We are very excited about the upcoming forums and the possibility of working together to make Robinson Woods a better experience for everyone.”