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Ten city parks named for possible dog runs
By JON WILSON © St. Petersburg Times, published May 13, 2001 ST. PETERSBURG -- Ten city parks could be good places to establish dog runs, suggest recreation officials. The parks were mentioned on a list given last week to City Council members, but that doesn't mean man's best friend will be allowed off the leash in all of them, officials hasten to add. Neighborhoods in which parks are located would have to approve specially designated dog enclosures before they would be allowed. Only Coquina Key Park is up for designation as a "dog park" site. The neighborhood association voted last year to allow a fenced, 1-acre space. Before making a decision, the council will hold a public hearing Thursday. If approved, the Coquina Key site would become St. Petersburg's first dog park. A couple of others exist in Pinellas County, and Sarasota County is considered a national leader in developing dog parks, which are beginning to catch on around the country. The Leisure Service Department's list of potential sites also includes Crescent Lake Park, North Shore Park, Bartlett Park, Campbell Park, Lake Vista Park, Maximo Park, Childs Park, Azalea Park and Walter Fuller Park. "These are just possible locations, not definite," said council member Rene Flowers, who heads the policy and planning committee that received the list. Council member John Bryan, who advocated dog parks during his election campaign, asked for the inclusion of Fossil Park, which is in his district. Recreation officials also sent to the council site and design criteria for dog parks. Among the suggestions: two benches or picnic tables, a minimum of two "pooper scooper stations," and at least one water fountain for dogs, where feasible. Officials also want the dog parks to include grass or mulch and shade trees where possible. At least 50 feet is suggested as a buffer between the dog park and private property. Dogs running loose in some city parks have helped generate the dog park talk. For example, police have cracked down more than once on people who let their dogs run loose in a North Shore Park area known as Dog Beach. Even so, owners and their pets still gather there. If a Coquina Key dog park succeeds, other neighborhoods likely will get a chance to consider whether they want parks near them to include dog runs. Flowers said the idea is to establish at least one "in all corners of the city."
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From the Times South Pinellas desks |
