Carytown & Museum District News Events in Richmond Virginia, West of the Boulevard

September 30, 2008

15 Comments.

1. Are you talking about the soccer field?

   chase @ September 30th, 2008 at 10:38 am

2. Chase-
   It’s the field next to the tennis courts, not the field at the Humphrey Calder Center.

   It’s occasionally used as a soccer field but I haven’t seen any teams play for a while, just folks coming to kick around the ball after work and they usually don’t mind the dogs. I would love to know if anyone rents the field for a specific purpose.

   Emily @ September 30th, 2008 at 11:20 am

3. The dog owners who bring their dogs to this field are the most self-policing group of owners I’ve ever seen. There is NEVER any dookie lying around, and the owners watch their dogs closely. This locking of the gate is the act of a bitter old man or bitter old woman. It’s nonsensical, as the occasional soccer player who comes to practice goal shots is nowhere near the dogs. Otherwise, it’s a wasted 1-2 acres.

   Dan @ September 30th, 2008 at 12:58 pm

4. I can’t tell from reading your post whether or not you are aware that the field that you are referring to is city property and is clearly marked “No Dogs”.

   From the City Code: “it shall be unlawful for the owner or any person in charge of any dog to allow such dog, whether leashed or unleashed, to enter or to take such dog into Maymont Park, the Azalea Gardens in Bryan Park, Byrd Park, recreation areas or athletic fields, areas equipped and/or designated as children’s play lots, or any other area posted by the director of parks, recreation and community facilities as an area wherein dogs are not allowed.”

   The school system uses that field for after-school athletics and is not unusual to see the local field hockey and soccer teams practicing during the school year. I personally don’t think that it would be practical to expect that the schools would find somewhere else to practice so that a dog park, the size of a soccer field, could be created in the Museum District. Barker Field is right down the street. By the way, I learned from the most recent 1st District meeting that RPD officers have been notified to be more active in that area, and to remove anybody found with dogs in that athletic field.

   Brandon @ September 30th, 2008 at 8:05 pm

5. Brandon, you are right about many things in your post.

   The property is owned by the school system and the PD have been coming by to notify dog owners that they can’t be there.

   You’re also right that Richmond has been fairly prohibitive to dogs in public spaces. And that is a policy that needs to be revisited. I’m asking to consider sharing space/access with the school and park system by designating some space for the dogs. I think if neighbors and dog owners unite we can work to make the space a legitimate dog park.

   Emily @ September 30th, 2008 at 9:18 pm

6. I don’t care for off-leash dog parks, but it would be nice if there were some public grass where my dog and I could sit and take a break from our walk. The museums are not friendly to dogs on their paths, and we have no little parks like the ones in the Fan. Mary Munford is a nice place for dogs, but it’s a little too far for everyday walks.

   Melissa @ September 30th, 2008 at 9:32 pm

7. The children at Albert Hill middle use this field every school day for both P.E. and after-school athletics; this is the only athletic field for the school, which is just two blocks away on Patterson. The enforcement of the no-dog ordinance has become a real necessity. Unfortunately, trash and dog waste have been a definite problem this school year, as have dogs running around as children try to use the field and vandalism of soccer nets and other school property. As a dog owner myself, I appreciate that most owners are conscientious, but the “one bad apple spoiling the bunch” adage holds true here. Parents have been cleaning up dog waste and trash just so the kids can use the field. Councilman Tyler and I will be holding a 1st District community forum at Albert Hill in October (date TBA but we’re shooting for 10/22) so if there are suggestions for an alternative dog-running site for the district, come and share them. But Brandon’s right about RPD enforcement so do spread the word that this site is limited to the students’ athletic uses. Kim Bridges, 1st District School Board representative

   Kim Bridges @ September 30th, 2008 at 10:25 pm

8. I have a bassett hound that I walk up there on a regular basis. When the dog takes a poop (these things are HUGE!), I simply pick it up and throw it over the fence. By the way, what’s on the other side of that fence? Sounds like some sort of highway or something….

   Angie O’P.

   Angie O'Plasty @ October 2nd, 2008 at 1:35 pm

9. As a neighbor and tax paying citizen of a city with a school system that is over taxed AND a dog owner who loves her dog more than life itself, I can say I honestly feel that the school system has more things to do right now that be concerned with free space for my canine’s recreation, or even my own…that would be Parks and Rec that should be concerned with these things so maybe focus should be shifted away from the school’s space and on to other city space.

   We all have councilpersons capable of introducing ordinances at any time for the special use of Parks and Rec property that would include dog friendly areas. I say that if more dog friendly space is what is wanted then these representatives should be put on the task…it is what they are there for, among other things…making the will of the people known.

   Fiona @ October 2nd, 2008 at 5:00 pm

10. You’re kidding, right??? That field is used by the school and it’s unhealthy for those children to have to play in fields with dog crap. Furthermore, it’s not the city’s fault that you have a dog and have no room for it. Please keep your dog away from where our children play and urge you other lawbreaking friends to do the same.

    Aly_D @ October 5th, 2008 at 11:14 am

11. I understand both sides, as I have a son at Albert Hill and am a dog owner. I am not familiar with the field in question, but a compromise should be reachable. I would recommend allotting a space for a dog run that is separate from the area the children utilize for PE and other activities. We all have to be good neighbors and be considerate and supportive of each other.

    Keelia Taylor @ October 6th, 2008 at 9:42 am

12. I hate to drive to a nice dog park, but the new one in Church Hill is very, very nice. It still has grass!

    Perhaps in the future, when the economy has rebounded (please Lord) maybe the city can sell the air rights over I-195 and the Downtown Expressway to developers, but only if 50% of the “new land” is parks. That way, the city could create a few of off-leash dog parks in the area. One near the Kensington and Patterson, one in Carytown South, and one near VCU. That would be great. Plus, covering the traffic would make it quieter around here, add more taxable real estate, and add more park space.

    Hmm, that would be a better re-development idea than getting rid of cars in Carytown.

    Andy Pederson @ October 14th, 2008 at 6:55 pm

13. Has there been any updates or action on dealing with the City regarding an off-leash dog park in WOTB? I used to take my dogs up there regularly and both the dogs and I miss using the the field.

    Phil @ November 4th, 2008 at 5:28 pm

14. I understand Bruce Tyler is working with the community and school board to balance the desire for a dog friendly area with the needs of the schools and the space necessary for the community garden. His contact info and that of his liaison, Jennifer Walle are on the citywebsite if anyone wants to followup.

    Fiona @ November 5th, 2008 at 10:13 am

15. apologies that I was not clear, Tyler is 1st district representative, that is why he has entered the discussion

    Fiona @ November 5th, 2008 at 10:19 am

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