Comments on: Please help find a nice, safe space for our Fan and Museum District and Malvern Area Dogs!

By: Fiona

Fiona — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:19:17 +0000

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

By: Fiona

Fiona — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:13:28 +0000

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.

By: Phil

Phil — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:28:51 +0000

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.

By: Andy Pederson

Andy Pederson — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 22:55:22 +0000

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.

By: Keelia Taylor

Keelia Taylor — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:42:07 +0000

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.

By: Aly_D

Aly_D — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 15:14:28 +0000

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.

By: Fiona

Fiona — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 21:00:43 +0000

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.

By: Angie O'Plasty

Angie O'Plasty — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:35:47 +0000

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.

By: Kim Bridges

Kim Bridges — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:25:09 +0000

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

By: Melissa

Melissa — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 01:32:01 +0000

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.