The beginnings of an idea
While Kim and I were camping at El Chorro Regional Park over the holiday, we made great use of the dog park on the eastern side of the community area. Two large areas were fenced and covered in bark; one was for small dogs (20 lbs. and under), the other for larger dogs.
In each area were toys: Frisbees, tennis balls and throwers, ropes, etc. Each also had a faucet and dish for water, a trash can, and a ready supply of "Mutt Mitts" (accompanied by signs insisting that owners pick up after their pets).
The facilities were fairly simple, but they were clean and quite inviting—we spent several hours with Darla, just throwing a tennis ball. By the end of the weekend, I started to wonder if Fresno had any parks like this, and if so, if one was close to us.
A quick Google search led me to the City of Fresno, which claims three dog parks:
- Woodward Park Dog Park (map | $3 vehicle entry fee | 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. daily, all year)
- Basin AH1 Dog Park (map | 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. daily, May – November)
- Roeding Park Dog Park (map | $3 vehicle entry fee | 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. daily, all year)
Question answered: there’s nothing in our neck of the woods.
I tend to think of dog parks as vast open spaces with green grass, but the facilities at El Chorro are inspired by a different design…one that could easily be planted into a neighborhood, even if larger park space isn’t available.
For example, a vacated home on our block, lost to foreclosure and unmarketable due to neglect, could be razed and cleared, bordered with a friendly but secure fence, and covered in bark. Maintenance requirements would be minimal: cleaning up after irresponsible pet owners and periodically refreshing the bark.
Of course, this idea assumes that zoning and other ordinances aren’t an obstacle, though they almost certainly are. Still, I wonder how desirable this would be to a neighborhood; the same concept could be replicated across town, so that the parks are in walking distance to as many residents as possible.
I don’t know where the idea goes from here, but I may contact some of the organizations in town that help care for pets, to find out if 1) there is a perceived interest, and 2) if anyone else is looking at something similar already. I’ll report back with anything I hear.
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Demolishing a house and replacing its lot with a dog park doesn’t appear to be a good investment. Also, would that amount of space even be sufficient? (Since you envisioned dog parks as “vast open spaces.”)
Austin, I’m curious as to who’s investment you’re referring to. If it’s a personal investment in real estate, then no, it doesn’t seem fiscally responsible. If it’s an investment in community, however, it’s certainly better than an abandoned house.
Regarding vast spaces, my point was that the facilities at El Chorro challenged my previous expectations; the space occupied by the adjacent, vacated properties is about the same size as the section of the park we utilized.
I referred to the personal investment in real estate. But you’re absolutely right about the community. I think I visualized the lots as smaller than they actually are.