The scoop on the off-leash dog park

Times Contributor 

 

Nearly two years after it was launched with a ribbon cutting ceremony, the Strathmore off- leash dog park seems to be a hit with both the dogs and their human families. 

“Our Lab is older and has lower energy,” said Lori Thompson-Klauck.   “But when we bring him to the park, his energy level goes up. It’s so nice to see his playful side.” 

Thompson-Klauck has two dogs. Lucky was adopted as a pup from the Humane Society, and they also have two-and-a-half year old Mohawk.

Thompson-Klauck’s 13-year-old son also loves the park.  The budding shutter bug likes to shoot photographs of funny and amusing things the dogs do during their off leash recess periods. 

Dawn Forsyth Green brings her Boston terrier Toffey to the park to get off leash and socialize. Forsyth Green thinks the park is “great” but suggested improvements to the park should include keeping the grass shorter, doing ice maintenance in the winter and adding a paved  pathway for moms with strollers.

Dave Rimes of the Strathmore Parks Department said equipment problems delayed mowing the grass this year. Usually the grass is mowed around five times a year. 

For the moment, said Rimes, there are no plans for a paved pathway or ice maintenance in the winter. 

“Benches and picnic tables are useful and it’s great the Town supplies poop bags,” said Forsyth Green. 

To date this year, the Town has supplied 10,000 poop bags. Most of the bags are used in the dog park and cost just under three cents apiece. 

There are no plans yet for a second off-leash dog park, said the Rimes, but if there is a second park it would probably be located in the north part of town.

“Usage of the current park will drive a requirement for a second one,” said Rimes.

Unfortunately there isn’t a water source at the park. It’s something that was looked at by the Town but there was no land available with  a little stream or any sort of water running through  it. 

“More often than not,” said  Forsyth Green, “some kind dog owners bring water to the park to keep the containers  full.” 

The off-leash dog park is located directly to the north of the  west end of Slater Road. The four-acre parcel of land is leased from  the Western Irrigation District (WID). 

“The park is a very positive part of town,” said Councillor Bob Sobol, whose miniature schnauzer is “intimidated” by  other dogs. “Whenever I drive by the park, there are cars parked there.”