Dog park on tap for city; leash laws on pause

Tuesday, June 20, 2006
From today's Dispatch. It should be noted that their is a Downtown Dog owners association rallying city hall for a dog park downtown. The city is considering donating some land to the cause but nothing is in stone yet. Ask me about where to make a contribution.
Also, it should be noted that this is a real story about real city life. People like to have pets and they like to take their pets to parks, it is absolutely a quality of life issue and it's important for those considering moving to Columbus, Ohio as well as those moving within Columbus.

East Siders, you’ll soon have a fenced dog park in Big Walnut Park to let your pooch run free.
But next year, dog owners likely will have to leash their dogs in Columbus parks during certain times of the day.
On July 12, the city’s Recreation and Parks Commission will consider administrative rules that would address leash laws for the parks and require dog owners to clean up after their pets there. Those rules would go into effect once all of the city’s dog parks are open, which should be in about a year, said Wayne Roberts, recreation and parks executive director.

The City Council voted yesterday to spend $250,000 to contract with Brookside Lawn Services to install fences and signs at Big Walnut, and pave areas.
The first city dog park, 3 acres north of E. Livingston Avenue and east of Hamilton Road, should be open by September, Roberts said.

The city also is considering dog parks at Three Creeks Park on the South Side and Big Run Park on the West Side.
The Clintonville Area Commission in March recommended a dog park for Anheuser Busch Sports Park on the Northwest Side, but Roberts said nothing has been decided about that location.

Mark Ferenchik THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH