Stonington — The committee trying to find a solution to the controversy surrounding the unofficial dog park at the Town Dock has recommended unanimously that the town make alterations to the park so it has less impact on its neighbors.

The committee is recommending that the size of the area where unleashed dogs can roam be reduced and screening such as trees to be installed to buffer the park from adjacent homes as long as it does not block views of the water and can receive borough zoning permits.

In addition, the committee is recommending that the town consider creating a second dog park at one of three sites: behind West Vine Street School, at the school administration building and behind the Human Services Department.

The committee agreed to not make a recommendation about whether the Waterfront Commission, which has jurisdiction now, or the Recreation Commission, would oversee the the park.

The recommendations have been sent to the Board of Selectmen, which is expected to begin discussing them at its meeting on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the police station. First Selectman Rob Simmons, who chaired the committee, said Thursday he wants selectmen to move forward with the recommendations to keep up the momentum of the committee’s work.

Over the past two months the committee has considered a variety of options, including closing the park and opening one in a new location.

Before adopting its recommendations last week, the committee modified its draft report to ban children shorter than 48 inches, including babies in strollers, as well as dogs in heat or those that have not been altered.

Last year, Laura Ann Gabrysch and Frank Mastrapasqua, who own a Front Street home that borders the park, sued the town, alleging it has been operating an “illegal dog park,” that it has not received any permits or zoning approvals for the park, that it poses a danger to the public and is a nuisance. Other neighbors also have complained about incessant barking and shouting, feces strewn about and harassment by dog park users.

Simmons created the committee this winter as way to help resolve the lawsuit. After initially putting the suit on hold with the creation of the committee, the couple said it was displeased with the charge given to members and how they were chosen. Their suit is now moving forward.

At a hearing last month, most of the speakers were in favor of allowing the dog park to continue operating and disputed claims by some neighbors that it is a nuisance.

j.wojtas@theday.com