Online survey asks residents to weigh in on dog park preferences
Dogs play at Hudson Mills during Saturday's Dog Days of Summer.
Daniel Brenner | AnnArbor.com
According to a release sent out by the city of Ann Arbor's Dog Park Subcommittee of the Park Advisory Commission, residents are being invited to participate in an online survey to give their opinion on potential dog parks being developed in the city.
The survey is for both dog owners and non-dog owners and is estimated to take about 10 minutes to complete.
PAC is asking for input on both where the parks potentially could be located as well as what types of amenities they would include. This would include both existing and new dog parks.
The subcommittee has been working toward developing the elements and criteria they believe will lead to a successful dog park, such as location, size and unique features. The survey also asks for residents to weigh in on elements the public thinks are important.
The subcommittee will host two public meetings — 7 to 8 p.m. Aug. 27 in the basement conference room of Larcom City Hall at 301 E. Huron St.; and 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at Cobblestone Farm Barn at 2781 Packard Road. You also can email PAC for more information.
Comments
tegel
Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 2:17 a.m.
Ode to the Parks Advisory Commission (PAC) I do not want a loud dog park I do not want to hear dogs bark Parks are for people (and dogs on leashes) Not for a fence that's filled with feces I live in Ann Arbor and enjoy when it's quiet Walking my dog means we don't have to diet We do not need a dog park in "The Ann" For those who insist, I have a good plan: There's plenty of land on the outskirts of town Where dogs can run free and play with more hounds People with dogs will come from afar No need to walk there, 'cause they have a car For those in the city, you can take a nice walk You'll meet other dogs as you circle the block So give up this obsession (some call it a lark) To insist on a centrally located dog park The residents will thank you, to say the very least As we relax and enjoy our quiet and peace
hmsp
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 2:48 a.m.
"One person maimed at a city dog p[ark could mean millions..." "Parks are for people... A dog park would dominate the ambiance of a park..." ******** Sheesh, people! Humans and dogs have been enjoying one of the most successful symbiotic relationships on the planet for 30,000 years! Leash laws themselves are an extremely recent invention -- being law in only some communities, and that for WAY, way less than 1% of the time that we have happily shared with our canine friends. 24-7-News-Channel-horror-stories notwithstanding, we continue to live better lives with our in-the-moment canine friends, as we always have. And the Ann Arbor that I grew up in in the 50s, 60s (and at least part of the 70s) was a better town than the ultra-wound-tight place that it has since become. Take a deep breath, folks, and loosen up a bit, if only to maintain the image of a relaxed, hip community -- you know, as in, "Fake It 'Till You Make It!"
Tom Joad
Tue, Jul 30, 2013 : 6:47 p.m.
Parks are for people. You are welcome to walk your dog through the park on a leash but to give over an entire segment for dogs is contrary to the purpose of a park as a peaceful and relaxing spot in an urban area. Having a group of barking dogs would detract greatly from the enjoyment of the park. A dog park would dominate the ambiance of a park, and as such if committed to building one the hours for use should severely limited to normal business hours and certainly not evenings or weekends when quiet and respite are most appreciated by others who wish to use the park
Dog Guy
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 12:36 a.m.
Dogs are people too . . . in Ann Arbor.
BobbyJohn
Tue, Jul 30, 2013 : 4:27 p.m.
The former city attorney, Abigail Elias, looked at the legal ramifications of a city dog pard and felt there were serious lawsuit risks involved. One person maimed at a city dog p[ark could mean millions, especially since users don't sign a waiver of right to sue if attacked by a dog at the park.
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, Jul 30, 2013 : 1:59 a.m.
No cat left behind!
Skyjockey43
Tue, Jul 30, 2013 : 6:41 p.m.
Show me a cat that can catch a frisbee in its mouth and then we'll talk.
Kyle Mattson
Tue, Jul 30, 2013 : 1:51 p.m.
I just want to know who will be the first person to open up a cat cafe in A2: http://bit.ly/13vlvHd
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, Jul 30, 2013 : 1:20 p.m.
Oh, right. Cats everywhere. Cats on my car. Cats in my garden. Cat poop and spray everywhere.
Basic Bob
Tue, Jul 30, 2013 : 10:56 a.m.
Cats are welcome in the dog park. Just drop them off.
garrisondyer
Tue, Jul 30, 2013 : 3:19 a.m.
Make sure it's unfunded and creates an unattainable indicator for success.
Arboriginal
Tue, Jul 30, 2013 : 2:25 a.m.
The Cat Park is currently located everywhere.
Basic Bob
Tue, Jul 30, 2013 : 1:37 a.m.
The basement of city hall would be perfect.
Arboriginal
Tue, Jul 30, 2013 : 1:33 a.m.
Vets Park would be my first choice for a dog run. Converting a diamond would not require much additional fencing, there is ample parking, and it is far away from residences. The diamond by the shelter would be ideal.
JRW
Tue, Jul 30, 2013 : 1:09 a.m.
I really don't think the city should allocate resources for a dog park until they can get the grass and weeds mowed in city parks. Gallup is an embarrassment for a lot of the summer.
Steve Hendel
Tue, Jul 30, 2013 : 4:19 p.m.
Treetop cartel, I would be almost certain that the fees charged dog owners are nowhere near the actual cost of establishing the facility AND running it. The City Council has a long history of 'greasing the squeaking wheel," and this is just one example of it.
treetowncartel
Tue, Jul 30, 2013 : 2:51 p.m.
The city doesn't allocate resources, there are fees for the dog parks that are paid for by the owner of the dog(s) that go towards the operations.
Dog Guy
Tue, Jul 30, 2013 : 12:38 a.m.
The survey is a venue for YOU to lobby for YOUR favored location(s) for a dog park. My opinion: for walking or biking, for town or for gown, the ideal central location for a dog park is Burns Park.
hail2thevict0r
Tue, Jul 30, 2013 : 11:14 a.m.
Hattrix, I suggest you do something better with your life if you "call the police all the time" on people for having their dogs off a leash in a park. Right or wrong, that's pretty sad and probably one of the reasons it takes 10 minutes for police to respond to a burglary in a residence.
hattrix
Tue, Jul 30, 2013 : 3 a.m.
Burns Park is already used as a dog park all the time. There are dogs running around off leash there almost every day. I call the police about this on a regular basis and nothing is done about it. I would welcome a dog park there so at least the dogs would be contained.
teeters
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 10:27 p.m.
Your link to the online survey does not work.
Cole Bertsos
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 10:44 p.m.
Thanks for the heads up. It should be fixed now.