2008.10.21
Dog park location before city council on Thursday
There is yet another hurdle to clear in getting the city's approval to locate the proposed Roanoke Dog Park on one acre of land in Highland Park.
City Council will hear an appeal of the Architectural Review Board's approval of the location and design of the Dog Park at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, in the council's chambers at the municipal building.
Dog park supporters are encouraged to attend and add their voices to the discussion. This is the chance, folks, to make a real difference in our community.
I know there are many vocal supporters, and some vocal detractors, among the neighborhood residents, and since they are the folks most directly affected by this proposal they should indeed have a voice in this decision.
But this is a public park, open for use by anyone, so don't feel that because you are not a resident of Old Southwest that your opinion doesn't matter. If you support the fenced-in, off-leash park being located in Highland, show that support by attending this meeting.
Concerns about the dog park range from loss of green space to aggressive dog behavior to problems associated with noise and doggy waste.
But the green space won't be lost; it is one acre that will get the same care as the rest of the park. And dogs that exercise and learn to be social are far less likely to be aggressive than dogs with too much unspent energy and no contact with other people and pooches.
The park will be open from dawn to dusk, so there won't be barking all night. And I am pretty sure people are more likely to clean up after their pooch with "mutt mitt" stations handy and the eyes of other dog park users watching.
If you can't attend the meeting, let the council members, David Bowers, Sherman Lea, Gwen Mason, Alvin Nash, Anita Price, Court Rosen and David Trinkle, know where you stand by sending them letters or e-mails.
If you have an opinion about the park or want to share your experience with public dog parks in other areas, please post a comment. Even if you are not a supporter, this is a chance to build on the discussion.
