Quote:
Originally Posted by hallman02
Birmingham needs a dog park - and the area near the interstate at George Ward seems ideal.
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Huntsville's version
Huntsville's Dog Spot features a sprawling play area for large dogs (25 pounds and more) and one for smaller dogs separated by fencing. Poop bag dispensers are there to help encourage a cleaner park.
Benches will soon be installed to give canine owners a place to swap dog stories and watch their four-legged friends frolic. Officials also hope to add restrooms along with watering stations with spigots designed for dog snouts.
Jeff Martin with the city's facilities project management office said some of the ideas were gleaned from Hill-Sheppard's visits to other dog parks. Tuesday's park opening culminates several years of planning aided by a push to make Huntsville more attractive to younger professionals..
Martin said the downtown site seemed ideal because it's next to the skateboard park, which already has a public parking lot and offers shade and some fencing.
The city spent about $7,000 on more fencing, signs, a staging area, the "poop bag" disposal station and parking lot improvements. The park encompasses an area roughly the size of several football fields.
"As we get some money budgeted for it, there will be some more improvements," Martin said Friday.
Users will have to adhere to rules and clean up after their pet. Among them: Dogs must be vaccinated for rabies; no more than two dogs per individual; dogs in "heat" not allowed; digging prohibited; and no dogs under 4-months old. Owners will also have to work through tensions that could result from dog fights.
Hill-Sheppard said dog owners are already planning events at the Dog Spot. Some owners have contacted her about dog play dates and birthday parties, she said, and the Greater Huntsville Humane Society wants to hold a canine event there leading up to its annual Dog Ball.
Park hours will follow those of other city parks, from dawn to one hour after dark seven days a week.