Release the hounds
Dog parks are one of the top amenities going into communities nationwide, and one of the most in demand. Even so, there are some vocal community members who are barking at the potential problems dog parks might unleash in their neighborhoods. As a result, many local governments have taken action.
Playing ball vs. playing fetch
A 2020 report from the Trust for Public Land showed that the presence of dog parks in cities is up by 89 percent nationwide since 2017. Many cities, in fact, have chosen to forego the construction of athletic fields in favor of the canine variety. Municipalities are finding that dog parks not only provide a source of recreation for pets, but a welcome source of social interaction for dog owners. They can also provide a boost to local business owners as well, who lease areas in and around the parks to sell coffee and food to patrons.
In addition, playgrounds and ball fields typically provide recreation for only toddlers to pre-teens and can only be used for several months a year. Modern playground facilities with all the bells and whistles can be expensive too, costing communities upwards of $100,000. Dog parks, on the other hand, are roughly a third of the cost to build and can offer year-round exercise for everyone from teens to seniors (and, of course, their furry friends).
Keeping a tight leash
As businesses are reopening and returning to on-premises service, the question As with any community space, dog parks come with their share of concerns and complaints from the community. Worries about pet waste, noise, aggressive dogs, physical liability, property damage and supervision of pets have prompted local governments to keep a tight leash on dog park operation and activities through legislation.
Useful examples from the eCode360® Library
Many communities have adopted strict regulations that keep dog park patrons safe while respecting the concerns of non-users and the community at large. Here are some examples of existing dog park legislation for local communities from our eCode360 library.
Updating Municipal Codes is Vitally Important
As local governments continue to adjust and transform digitally to the ever-shifting needs of the COVID-19 era, keeping municipal codes updated has become more essential than ever. It’s important to sustain orderly and accessible knowledge of the most current regulations and resolutions in a timely manner.
We encourage our clients to submit code updates as soon as possible to make sure constituents and local government officials are always referencing and working with the most up-to-date resources. Clients can send legislation to [email protected].
Best Practices for Managing Your Codification Budget
Many of our client communities find it helpful to be on a code update schedule to help manage their budgets throughout the year. Our Client Care Advocates can work with you and explain the options and benefits of scheduled code updates. Give them a call at 800.836.8834 or send an email to [email protected]. They’d be happy to help or answer any other codification questions you might have.
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