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North Shore, Lake Vista and Walter Fuller parks could be next up for dog parks.
By JON WILSON, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 17, 2002
ST. PETERSBURG -- The city's two dog parks -- officially fenced spots where owners can let their pets run footloose and guilt-free -- might be the hottest tickets in town.
They have proven so popular at Coquina Key and Crescent Lake that officials have proposed to scatter three more such romping grounds around the city.
"At times there are 50 or more dogs at Crescent Lake," said Lee Metzger, Leisure Services administrator. "We need some relief. This has been too successful."
Lake Vista, North Shore and Walter Fuller parks are the sites the Leisure Services department has nominated.
Anyone who wants to speak for or against those locations can do so before the City Council on Thursday. A public hearing is scheduled at City Hall, 175 Fifth St. N.
Officials worked with neighborhoods to fine-tune sites. But the park proposed at North Shore has drawn opposition.
"Some people don't think we ought to have a dog park there, what if there's barking, what if it doesn't work," Metzger said.
Council member Virginia Littrell said she received a petition with 32 signatures opposing the North Shore site.
North Shore Park, which stretches from Seventh to 18th avenues NE, already is a popular place for dogs. On certain days of the week, owners illegally let unleashed pets frolic on the grass or, at low tide, on the Tampa Bay flats. Police have confronted dog owners and issued citations from time to time.
Some residents fear that a special reserve would attract even more dogs to the area, said Littrell, who represents the North Shore area.
"My feeling is there may be more, but they'll be in an area designed for them, and free-roaming dogs in the regular park will disappear," she said.
To allay residents' worries, officials have proposed a "sunset" provision for the dog park. If the council approves it, the dog enclosure could be closed in a year should it cause problems in the neighborhood.
Littrell said she probably would support both the site and the sunset provision unless she heard new testimony to persuade her otherwise.
The park's proposed location is just outside the softball field's outfield fence.
At Lake Vista, plans call for putting the dogs at the park's south end, just west of the swimming pool. The park's jogging track would not be affected, Metzger said.
At Walter Fuller, the dog park would go just south of the main clubhouse at the Tampa Bay Devil Rays' spring training complex.
Each dog park would include special areas for small dogs whose owners don't want their pets scuffling with larger animals.
The sites would cost $25,000 to $35,000 each to build, Metzger said. Money would come from the interest on proceeds from the sale of Weeki Wachee property, he said.