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Dog Park Advocates Forced To Find New Locations - Again

Dog Park Advocates Forced To Find New Locations - Again

By: 

Dan Hanger

Photojournalist: 

Adam Jagunich
FOX 21 News, KQDS-DT

Regions: 

  • Twin Ports

Topics: 

  • Government
  • Human Interest
  • Community
http://www.fox21online.com/sites/default/files/dog%20park%20pkg.mp4
DULUTH - Homeowners have spoken and locked the gate on proposed dog parks in the central and east end of Duluth.  But as FOX 21's Dan Hanger reports, there are new plans in the works, including one near a beach.It's been more than six months since the Duluth City Council gave the OK for the Parks and Rec. Dept. to focus on plans for a second and third dog park in the city – one at Observation Park and the other at Russel Square out east.But not a stick in the mud has happened since then because of a big push-back from homeowners – until now.Danette Lynch, who's been one of the leaders in the dog parks movement, showed off an old hockey rink on Observation Park that she believes will be a better fit for the central part of town instead of the adjacent proposed field that homeowners did not approve of at all."This will be a very lovely dog park. A lot of people will say it's too small -- we need it bigger -- and my answer is then you find me a space," a somewhat tired Lynch explained of her battle to find these dog parks.Lynch, who helped make big improvements to the city's only current dog park at Keene Creek, believes there's no reason why Duluth can't find two more dog parks during a time when it's trying to be the No. 1 outdoor city in the country in an Outside Magazine contest."We love to be outside and there are many people who love to be outside. Secondly, with other community members and sit and watch their dogs play and socialize," Lynch said."It is still on our radar. It's just a little bit difficult to move forward when we are short staffed," explained Kathy Bergen, manager of the Duluth Parks and Rec. Dept. "We're juggling ... 50-75 projects in various steps of completions."Bergen believes the new location will end up working, as well as Lynch's third proposed location on the east end of town at Brighton Beach."There really isn't any residential area around it, a lot of people bring their dogs there already and it's a larger space and it might actually prove to be much better," Bergen explained of the proposed Brighton Beach property.But in the meantime, Lynch's focus is converting the rundown, unused hockey rink on Observation Park that's got even past opponents thinking otherwise."I would be all for that space right here. I'm glad I talked to you guys. I'm all for this spot that's just really falling apart," said Ray Thompson, a dog owner who was against the proposed dog park on the big field of Observation Park.The new plans were presented to the Parks Commission Wednesday night.  If approved, public comment will once again take place before the City Council gives the final OK.  And as for cost, the city won't be paying a dime for these new dog parks; it has to be raised by the dog park lovers themselves.

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