Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008
by Keith L. Martin | Staff Writer
Frederick’s aldermen want more information before allowing a little-used city park to go to the dogs.
At their meeting Jan. 3, Frederick’s Board of Aldermen delayed a final vote on a plan to transform Tiny Tot Park, at the intersection of North Bentz Street and Carroll Parkway, into the city’s first dog park. The park would provide an off-leash, fenced-in running area for canines.
Aldermen plan to revisit the issue at a Feb. 7 meeting, with once more details on cost and manpower to oversee the park are available.
Area pet owners said this week that the city should provide a place just for pooches.
‘‘It’s long overdue,” said Allison Levitt, a 10-year downtown resident.
‘‘A majority of other cities have a dog park for residents, so to me, this is a no-brainer to have a park for a place like Frederick that has so many dogs. They need a place to run.”
Levitt, proud owner of 5-year-old Labrador mix Oliver, is also owner of Two Paws Up, a South Carroll Street store for the city’s canine clientele. The store advocates for well-behaved pets to accompany owners in downtown businesses.
‘‘We ... have a great family atmosphere in Frederick,” she said. ‘‘Dogs are part of the family.”
Currently, Tiny Tot Park sits vacant, its playground equipment removed shortly after Baker Park was remodeled more than a decade ago.
Roelkey Myers, director of the city’s parks and recreation department, told Frederick’s aldermen that the city’s parks and recreation commission formed a Dog Park Task Force to investigate locations for dog-friendly areas. They identified Tiny Tot Park as ideal, given its proximity to downtown.
He said retrofitting the park would cost the city less than $50,000, and the money is already in the city’s fiscal 2008 budget. In November, the commission voted unanimously to transform the 100-foot by 100-foot area from a vacant lot into the city’s first dog park.
Future dog parks are planned within the Canterbury Station development off North Market Street and in the city’s proposed regional park off Butterfly Lane. The county also has plans for a dog park in Ballenger Creek, set for completion later this year.
As the owner of four greyhounds, Alderman David ‘‘Kip” Koontz (D) supported the measure at last week’s meeting, but encouraged the city to consider such parks for residents who live outside downtown.
Alderman Alan E. Imhoff (R) also supported the change, and said ‘‘if we do this, let’s do it right.” Imhoff advocated for more information, including the true cost to the city.
Koontz and Alderman Donna Kuzemchak (D) voted to transform the park, while Imhoff and C. Paul Smith (R) voted against, seeking more information before approval. Alderman Marcia A. Hall (D) was not present; Mayor W. Jeff Holtzinger (R) cast the deciding vote, declining approval until more information was available.
Levitt advised the city to clearly post rules, but said she thinks that dog owners will ‘‘self-police” the park.
