City Dog Park Opening Delayed
The first dog park located in the City of Frederick, which was originally scheduled to open this summer is still months away from opening. From the Gazette:
In February, the Board of Aldermen approved the conversion of Tiny Tot Park at the corner of North Bentz Street and Carroll Parkway as the city’s first contained area for dogs to run off-leash.
For nearly $20,000, the city will convert the park, install a 5-foot fence around its perimeter and provide water hookups, benches and other amenities.
Original plans were for the park to be open this summer. (Frederick’s Director of Parks and Recreation Roelkey) Myers said that the delay is due to difficulty setting fence delineations, now being reviewed by city planners and traffic engineers for issues such as sight lines for traffic. Once the setback lines are established, public works employees will begin installing about 28 columns on the site for the fencing. Myers speculated it would be ‘‘several months” until the park is open.
What do you think of the idea of dog parks? I can’t help but wonder if there won’t be problems. Let’s just hope that the users will all be responsible dog owners.
NOT being a dog owner anymore, I think they are a good idea. This way dog owners have a place where other people who are obviously dog tolerant can let their pets exercise and socialize. I know personally I hate when my 21 month old is stepping in dog poo around playgrounds and such. So maybe this will help with that.
But as with ANYTHING let’s hope the dog owners even “inside the fence” are responsible and pick up after their pets. When I did have a dog and I saw when people didn’t do that it would make me so mad.
I’m excited for all our dog owning friends and I hope the park is a fun place! My son loves dogs and maybe we can stop by for a visit and a pat on the head!!
I think it’s a good idea. As with anything, like you mentioned hopefully people won’t abuse the park. I would love to bring my Drake to a place where he can learn to socialize with other dogs. I wouldn’t take him off leash as I don’t think he’s ready for that, but it would be nice to see him with other dogs.
Frederick is way behind other communities nationwide in having a dog park. Dogs are a part of the family (in most cases) and deserve a fun place to romp and play unleased (as long as they are friendly of course). MOST dog owners are responsible , unfort. it is the BAD ones that could potentially ruin it for everyone and give all dog owners a bad name which is not fair. I’m curious about the rules and who will be monitoring the park to make sure it is kept clean and safe from unfriendly animals. I have 3 dogs myself, and I am not one that will be using the park because I know none of my current pack would be the type to mingle and play and have fun with the others. I’ve had dogs in the past who would have been excited and happy to be able to go “play” with the kids. Frederick needs more of these type of places that are Pet friendly. I hope this park is a great success and put the “nay sayer” minds at ease!
I appreciate Val’s comments – I only wish all dog owners were as responsible. I used the Greenbriar “dog park” a few times before the county shut it down. On more than one occasion owners would happily let their animals drink from our dogs’ dish and then proceed to tell me about how sick the dog was yesterday and this morning. Most dog owners are responsible, but it is the few that can make this experience unpleasant. If this dog park is the one associated with the humane society, Brigitte Farrell (the director) has told me that this will be different. I will remain guardedly optimistic.
I had signed a petition a few years ago to have a dog park added in Frederick, which I never heard anything after. I’m glad this is coming into plan and will gladly wait. I would love to bring my Lucy to a park where she can safely play and be off leash.
I agree that people do need to be responsible. Once at Baker park, I saw a guy with his dog and after the dog took a crap they just walked away, so I called out and said, “here’s a bag for you to use.” He looked a little embarrassed and cleaned up with poop.
Monica
This is LONG overdue. I used the dog park in Gaithersburg/Germantown before I moved to Frederick, and it was a wonderful community of dog lovers. My dog actually had a “best friend” there, and they would run and run with one another. People were very responsible about picking up after their dog, because other users were very assertive about giving them “the frown” when they didn’t. Also, it helped greatly that the county provided plastic bags which were in containers mounted on the fence. As for the issue of drinking water from other dogs’ dishes: you’re not going to be able to stop that. Give them a drink before they enter, and after you leave, if you’re that paranoid about it. And besides, if you’re keeping your dog’s shots up to date, they shouldn’t have anything to worry about. If you’re that paranoid about your dog getting a cold, you don’t belong at a dog park. Dogs are going to socialize, and swap spit. That’s the whole point of the park.
Greenbriar is open now. I take my dog there alot. People do clean up after the dogs, if they dont, several of us offer to give them a bag. They do it then.
From what I understand, there will be fees involved in this dog park.
I think it’s a wonderful idea. We used to live in Howard County where there was a large off-leash dog park. People who frequent these types of parks tend to be very responsible about cleaning up after their dogs, etc. I’m looking forward to taking my dogs.
The city dog park should be opening in the next two weeks or so. Here’s the press release from the City of Frederick website:
http://www.cityoffrederick.com/sql/press/mediaadvisory.php?ID=536
The dog park at Greenbriar Kennels is a great place to take your pooches for a romp. They do not charge fees for usage of the park.
Frederick County zoning has no ordinances for dog parks, which has given them problems in the past, and is creating new issues today. Call the commissioner’s office and tell them not to shut down Greenbriar Kennel’s dog park
(301)600-1100