By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Proponents of dog parks in Bowling Green got a bone tossed their way Monday evening at City Council.
When voting on the city Parks and Recreation Department’s five-year master plan, council voted 5-1 to add language about potential dog parks. The amendment asks that the parks and recreation administration consider opportunities to repurpose public land for off-leash dog parks, and work with citizens to establish walkable dog parks in the city.
While the amendment does not state that a dog park must be created, it does establish such a park as a priority, and asks that the process begin to identify challenges and overcome them, City Council member Jeff Dennis said after proposing the amendment.
The only “no” vote was cast by council member Greg Robinette. Council President Mark Hollenbaugh did not vote since he was acting mayor at the meeting.
Both Robinette and Hollenbaugh cautioned that making changes to the parks and recreation master plan at the last moment could send a negative message to the city’s boards and commissions.
“This is significant,” Robinette said. “A lot of hard work went into this.”
“This sends the wrong message,” he said.
Hollenbaugh noted how unusual it would be to make a change so late in the process.
“As council president, I do have a great deal of respect for boards and commissions,” he said. “We must be mindful of the message that may be sent.”
But council member Bill Herald, who brought up the issues of dog parks to the parks and recreation board in mid-2019, said the message being sent is that Bowling Green listens to its residents.
“I view this as part of the process,” Herald said. “If we weren’t meant to weigh in, why would we hold a public hearing? We have a responsibility.”
“This is an example of a community coming together in a comprehensive plan,” he said.
Council member Nick Rubando said his voting for the amendment did not mean a lack of respect for the park board and foundation. It means, he said, that he is representing his constituents.
“A lot of people have come up to me and spoken very passionately about this,” Rubando said. “People are telling me they want a dog park. This is what the people of Ward 1 want.”
Dennis said that discussions of costs or locations are premature. The amendment establishes dog parks as a goal.
Council member Rachel Phipps agreed.
“It simply continues the discussion of dog parks,” she said.
Prior to the vote on the five-year master plan, City Council heard from citizens and park officials.
Parks and Recreation Director Kristin Otley talked about all the plans already in the five-year proposal. She listed off the inclusive playground, pickleball courts and disc golf course improvements at Carter Park; the repaving, walking trail, lighting and shade structures at City Park; the new sculpture and paved trails at Simpson Garden Park; and the new HVAC at the nature center in Wintergarden Park.
“Our parks and facilities contribute greatly to the quality of life in Bowling Green,” she said.
Otley stressed the need to maintain the buildings, parkland and facilities already in place.
“It’s a continual balancing act,” she said. “We have to have the money. We have to have the staff.”
Special effort is made to not duplicate programs that already exist, Otley said, referencing the Wood County dog park that is located inside city limits by the dog shelter off East Gypsy Lane Road.
Park Board President Jodi Anderson explained that the five-year master plan is a “carefully constructed framework” that determines resource allocation.
Anderson listed several concerns about a new dog park, including the duplication of services, concerns about using existing park space that is already dedicated for other purposes, the questionable goal of a “walkable” site, and the potential spread of disease and injuries.
She also questioned the city using American Rescue Plan Act dollars for a dog park. “It seems like the city would have far more urgent needs,” she said.
“Just because we can, doesn’t mean we should,” Anderson said.
Jenny Swope suggested that the citizens committee working on dog parks in Bowling Green shift their focus to improving the existing county dog park.
Enrique Gomezdelcampo, president of the park foundation, asked that the master plan not be changed. He said the advocates for dog parks are operating on emotion, not facts.
“They need to come up with hard data to back up their claims,” he said.
But Dennis said the fact is that a survey completed by the parks and recreation department shows strong support.
“There were 32 mentions supporting dog parks. For context, pickleball – which I support wholeheartedly – received just six mentions,” Dennis said.
At the same time, the surveys were heavy on older respondents – with more than 60% being 45 years or older, he said.
Speaking in favor of dog parks, Jo Ascunce talked of the growing interest.
“There has been an outcry from BG residents to create a space for dogs and their owners to exercise, socialize and enjoy public land within our beautiful city,” Ascunce said.
The newly formed Citizens for BG Dog Parks Committee understands the maintenance commitment of dog parks, and plans to research ways to help, she said.
Ascunce noted that the dog park idea is not new.
“It got squashed,” in past discussions, she said. “We’re back and we’re here to stay.”
“Dog parks are a highly desirable city facility for dog-owning young families, young professionals, prospective residents, and those living across town in need of an off-leash area to exercise their dogs,” Ascunce said.
Rose Drain talked about her family’s use of dog parks in other communities.
“It’s where people come together in the community. You get to know people,” Drain said. “We like meeting people and our dogs like meeting dogs.”
“It enhances neighborhoods. It creates more community,” she said.
Drain said dog parks can benefit the city in other ways.
“I plan our trips by first looking for dog parks,” she said. “This could have an economic benefit to Bowling Green.”
