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Trendy spots for dogs to run, sniff
By ED QUIOCO, Times Staff Writer
EAST LAKE -- It's only a matter of time before John Chesnut Sr. Park becomes the trendy social scene for dog owners and their pooches. The 255-acre park is on Pinellas County's list to get a paw playground, which is expected to be open in the spring. Like other county dog parks, the one in East Lake will keep things simple: It will have a grassy fenced-in area with a canine water fountain and a cooling station. But to dog owners and their pets, these bark parks are splendid. "They are extremely popular," said Liz Warren, the county's parks director. "Citizens are really wanting them." The idea is to give pet owners a chance to unleash their dogs in the fenced area, let them romp and socialize with other pups. There also are separate areas for the small and big dogs because "the little dogs can kind of trip up the big dogs," she said. So far, everyone seems to be on their best behavior when they go to these playgrounds. "When dogs go to a dog park, it's a neutral territory so they are very social and they aren't protecting their home or their dog bowl," Warren said. "Most of the time they are well-behaved. It's similar to children in a playground." In East Lake, the 1.5-acre paw playground will be built toward the front of the park near the playground and softball field, said Jack Roberts, Chestnut park supervisor. The park has three nature trails, boat ramps, a 1-mile canoe trail, picnic shelters and other facilities. When it comes to park amenities, paw playgrounds are relatively affordable. A 2-acre dog park can cost $20,000 to $25,000, with most of that going to pay for fencing. That's not bad, Warren said, considering that to install an average playground in a county park can cost more than $75,000. "It's very inexpensive when compared to other park amenities," Warren said. Municipal dog parks have exploded in popularity in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties during the last year. Pinellas County opened its first dog park in January at A.L. Anderson Park in Tarpon Springs. "I was out there last Sunday and we need to expand because it was packed," Warren said Friday. The next one was opened at Fort Desoto Park in south Pinellas County. That one also has a doggie beach. "Dogs like to go to the beach, too," Warren said. Pinellas opened its third Nov. 23 at Boca Ciega Millennium Park in Seminole. "Boca opened two weeks ago, and it has doubled attendance in the park . . . on the weekends," Warren said. County officials plan to open their fourth and fifth dog parks next year at Walsingham Park in Largo and on Sand Key Park in Clearwater. Like any playground, dog parks have a set of rules. Dog owners are asked to pick up after their pets and there are dispensers with plastic baggies to help them. Dogs have to be vaccinated and well-behaved and female dogs in heat are not welcome. "We don't want a lot of puppies," Warren said. Pets are allowed on all county parks as long as they are on a leash not longer than 6 feet. Pets are not allowed in certain areas, such as campgrounds, swimming areas and places where food and drinks are sold. Paw playgrounds have become wonderful places for dog owners to meet each other and share information about their dogs, Warren said. In some cases, dog parks have become quite the singles scene. Warren, who got dog parks started in Sarasota County about six years ago, recalled one dog park romance involving a guy who gave snacks to a dog belonging to a woman he wanted to meet. After the dog kept running over to the guy, the couple met and eventually married, Warren said. "Dogs absolutely love it, and it's good for their owners too to get out and get away from that computer and television," Warren said. "It's just a real healthy and wonderful thing."
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From the Times North Pinellas desks |
