Thursday, 10 September 2009 05:50
Written by Diana Nelson Jones
Since mid-August, 300 people have signed a petition to request a city-recognized off-leash dog exercise area on the South Side.
The petition resides at A Diamond in the Ruff, a dog-grooming shop on 18th Street.
City Councilman Bruce Kraus called a town hall meeting in July to discuss the possibility of separating two acres in South Side Park for a dog park.
Chrissy Marburger, owner of A Diamond in the Ruff, said most people are amenable to that space, at the end of 18th Street near the boat ramp. The drawback, for now, is that the site is a few years out, in need of $200,000.
"We would like something temporary in the meantime," she said, citing an unused ball field in the South Side Slopes that already has a fence.
When you have a dog in a city neighborhood without a yard, you are willing to be an outlaw to get her some running time. South SIde dog owners have used Armstrong Park on 12th Street in the past because it is underused, but some neighbors complained, and that's all it takes.
The complaints prompted the councilman to action, since dogs aren't allowed off-leash anywhere in the city except in off-leash areas recognized by the city.
The city owns the strip of land being considered and is likely to commit $100,000, the councilman said; the other half would have to be raised privately. "The fence is the costliest part of it, about $70,000," he said.
Chrissy said a secured area would be necessary in South Side Park, since the area is bordered by a road and railroad tracks.
For a city that's awash in open spaces and closed recreation areas, we have a dearth of off-leash areas for our best friends -- Frick Park and Allegheny Commons Park, neither of which is secured. For the love of dogs, we need more of them.
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