2008.10.23
Dog park wins council approval
The Roanoke City Council voted 6-0 Thursday to uphold a lower city board’s ruling to allow a 1-acre off-leash dog park to be located on the western side of Highland Park.
The city’s Architectural Review Board had voted to approve a four-foot black vinyl fence for the park and the location of the dog park at its July and August meetings, respectively.
Old Southwest resident Doug Turner appealed the decisions, arguing that Highland Park was chosen without an adequate site selection process and that the location would adversely affect performances on a nearby stage.
“I urge you not to throw this good amphitheater to the dogs,” Turner said. “Instead, let’s request that the Department of Parks and Recreation develop a master plan identifying alternative sites for dog parks throughout the city.”
Advocates for the dog park, including members of Old Southwest Inc. and NewVa Connects, a young professionals advocacy group, argued that it would be well-policed by its patrons and help decrease crime in Highland Park.
NewVa Connects spokeswoman Lauren Ellerman cited the dog park as the perfect example of a public-private partnership between “a young professionals group, a neighborhood group and the city of Roanoke.”
The council evidently agreed, voting unanimously to uphold the ARB’s decision. Vice Mayor Sherman Lea was absent from the meeting.
