Friday, September 26, 2003
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Friday, September 26, 2003 |
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Dog Park finds a home in McIntosh Trail complex By J. FRANK LYNCH Peachtree City pooches can party like animals come spring, now that the city council has signed off on a permament site for the long-proposed “dog park” on three acres of wooded land within the city-owned McIntosh Trail recreation complex. About a dozen members of the Peachtree City Dog Park Committee whooped it up outside City Hall Sept. 18 after the vote, sporting now ubiquitous “Peachtree City Dog Park” T-shirts. The high-profile group of volunteers have blanketed the city with their upbeat message of the need for dog socialization since the idea was first considered — and roundly ridiculed — last February. They eventually redeemed themselves in the eyes of most Peachtree Citians, and their entry in the city’s Fourth of July parade last summer won the first place trophy. A council contribution of $5,000 in seed money given to the committee last winter will be repaid through the collection of user fees from dog owners, said chairman Fred Bryant. Since the park idea had already been endorsed by the council, last Thursday’s vote was simply an agreement on the location. Concerns over runoff, access and other issues nixed the first location proposed by the commmittee, near the Kedron Aquatic Center. The second choice at the South 74 Soccer Complex was also deemed unworthy after some thought, mainly because the site wouldn’t be permanent. “At South 74, the best place to put a dog park just happened to also be the best place to put another soccer field,” Said Leisure Services Director Randy Gaddo. Less than three weeks ago, said Gaddo, he was discussing the issue at recreation department offices with Mayor Steve Brown when they glanced out the window and Brown inquired, “What’s all this land back here for?” Turns out, more than 10 acres of undeveloped woods that wrap around the Leisure Services offices and BMX track aren’t planned for anything. The terrain is accommodating for dog exercise, runoff from dog waste shouldn’t pose a problem, and there’s a natural buffer between the site and the nearest neighbors off Peachtree Parkway. Peachtree City found its dog park. It will be a bigger and better dog park than originally proposed, said Bryant, and the committee has doubled cost estimates to get it up and running from an earlier $15,000. But the key purpose remains: Creating a place where dogs and owners can meet others “off-leash.” “It’s not going to be what people think,” he said. Details on membership, user fees and the like have yet to be worked out, but all dog owners — city and county residents alike — will be welcome, he said. “This is an attempt to allow people to take their dogs out to spend time off-leash with other dogs,” said Bryant. “Dogs have to interact with other dogs just to learn how to behave, plus there’s the exercise benefit.” Next step will be to survey the land, get assessments on expenses and then draw up some plans and get estimates on what it will cost to build a 6-foot fence around the 3-acre site, which the city is donating. The 40-member Dog Park Committee will answer to the city’s Recreation Commision, said a very pleased Gaddo. “This is a good example of how to get things done,” he said. Peachtree City is among the first Georgia municipalities to unleash the dog park concept. Not surprisingly, Athens led the way and has several scattered around Clarke County. Atlanta officials recently declared a trial dog play meadow at Piedmont Park permanent feature. Rockdale, Gwinnett and Cobb counties are all considering similar developments. For more information or to find out how to join the Peachtree City Dog Park Committee, go to www.ptcdogpark.com.
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