Tarpon puts dog park plans on hold

The city says it is freezing park funds because of economic uncertainty. A park advocate says it isn't a big expense and shouldn't be delayed.

By KATHERINE GAZELLA
© St. Petersburg Times,
published December 3, 2001

TARPON SPRINGS -- When she first proposed the idea of opening a dog park in Tarpon Springs, Nancy Dively was enthusiastic about having a place where her dogs and others could run without leashes.

Now, more than a year later, the city has told her that funds for the park have been frozen because of a slowdown in city spending because of the recession. Dively, a real estate agent and community activist, was surprised by the news and frustrated, not only by the delay but also because it might hinder her efforts to raise private funds for the park.

"Hundreds of people have supported this proposed park," she said in a recent letter to City Manager Ellen Posivach. "However, it is hard to continue supporting something that is kind of like a ghost. You know it is there, but you can't see it."

Posivach said she understands Dively's frustration. But she also said the city has to put the dog park and many other projects on hold temporarily because of uncertainty in the economy.

Almost everything in the city is on hold, she said, except for necessities such as payments on the new fire and police headquarters.

"We're doing the same thing everybody in the state is doing," Posivach said. "We're moving very slowly and cautiously."

Posivach said the economic uncertainty doesn't mean the city is having financial problems. She just wants to wait until she gets more information from the county and state about the economy and the city's budgetary responsibilities.

"We'll go ahead and regroup in a few months," she said.

The park is supposed to go next to a little-used city parking lot on Live Oak Street, not far from the Pinellas Trail. Commissioners have been supportive of the park and approved the funding for a fence.

Dively pointed out that the city wouldn't have to spend much for the park, just $12,000, but she said it would attract visitors who would patronize local businesses.

"This is not a big capital expense," she said. "And I can tell you that people will spend money in Tarpon Springs with the addition of that kind of park."

Dively said she understands that local governments may have to make sacrifices because of the slowing economy. But she also pointed out that city officials have said the city economy is healthy and secure.

That's true, Posivach said.

"I want to make sure we keep it that way," she said.

Dively has raised more than $2,000 for toys, a baggie dispenser and benches for the park from private donations and fundraising dinners. Dively has two dogs of her own, a mixed breed named Annie and a Rhodesian Ridgeback named Bella.

Other cities have opened or plan to create dog parks. Largo recently approved a $210,200 bid to develop a dog park in the little-used Northeast Park off East Bay Drive. Safety Harbor, Indian Rocks Beach and St. Petersburg already have parks. Clearwater and Dunedin are making plans for parks.

A county dog park recently opened in A.L. Anderson Park in Tarpon Springs. That doesn't sit well with Dively, especially since Tarpon Springs started its efforts long before a dog park was planned in Anderson Park.

"I answer to people," she said. "They say, 'When is the dog park going to open?' We're missing the boat."

-- Staff writer Katherine Gazella can be reached at (727) 445-4182 or gazella@sptimes.com.

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