Residents are pushing for dogs to be allowed in Heckscher Park in downtown Huntington.

A petition has around 1,500 signatures calling for the town to change its rules and allow dogs inside the park.

Karen Thomas says she likes to walk her dog Fluffy at the park.

"I try to bring him here and sometimes they allow him and sometimes they don't," says Thomas. "People want to be able to come here. It's a beautiful park. There's no reason not to have leashed dogs here."

Erich Preis says dogs wouldn't create any problems and could also help solve an existing problem.

"The geese are overwhelming in the park and I think having dogs here is a good idea to keep the geese population down," Preis says.

Town officials say dogs are allowed in most other parks in Huntington. But they say they've gotten complaints from a nearby senior center about seniors feeling uncomfortable sharing what they consider a relatively narrow path with dogs.

Some parkgoers agree with the ban saying they prefer not to have dogs in the park.

Town officials say they are looking into a dog-friendly alternative near Heckscher Park.