Where should Grand Rapids build 2 more dog parks? City officials want to know

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids is searching to increase at least two dog parks in the metropolis in just the following 5 decades.

To assistance manual where by the pet dog parks might be positioned and what facilities should really be presented there, the city is conducting an on the web survey that people can fill out by way of April 30.

The study, which went live March 31, can be concluded listed here.

Grand Rapids owns two puppy parks: Hillcrest Doggy Park at 250 Fuller Ave. NE and Covell Pet dog Park at 526 Covell Ave. NW. A 3rd a person owned by the town is a short term 1 open during the early morning several hours January by means of March at Cherry Park, 725 Cherry St. SE.

Connected: Grand Rapids finishes pet dog park advancements, enlargement

Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. also operates two pet parks in the town for residents to use: West Facet Puppy Park at 301 Summer time Ave. NW and the Downtown Puppy Park at 210 Market Ave. SW.

The on the web survey asks people which parks they would choose to have a doggy park found at, what things are critical for a successful canine park, these as consuming water for puppies, shaded areas, perform features, pet dog washing stations and additional, and to rank a range of pet dog park attributes, these as free of charge to use, persons following policies, tranquil enjoy among canine and far more.

Karie Enriquez, challenge manager for the Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department, claimed study responses will assistance information the city’s conclusions on in which to make at the very least two pet dog parks and what styles of capabilities will be supplied at them.

The metropolis plans to incorporate two puppy parks in the up coming two to 5 decades, but there could be 3 added, she reported. At least a person of all those parks will be found in the city’s Southeast Facet, wherever at this time only the short-term, seasonal puppy park is positioned.

Enriquez stated a metropolis of Grand Rapids’ size really should have four dog parks, in accordance to nationwide expectations set by the Nationwide Recreation and Park Association.

The new dog parks would be located inside current parks, Enriquez mentioned, and where the city ultimately decides to establish them will be primarily based not just on study feedback but a greater scoring conditions that involves inhabitants of puppies in the area, house in the park, parking availability and more.

When the metropolis has a probable park in intellect, they’ll interact with neighbors to listen to responses on regardless of whether it is the appropriate space for a puppy park, Enriquez said.

The present pet parks in the city are extensively utilized, Enriquez said. Dog parks deliver an additional way for people to link with their pets and get both of those the house owners and the canines outdoors.

“It’s just another way for people to have interaction with nature, and we know that folks paying out time in parks contributes to their mental, psychological and actual physical wellbeing,” she claimed. “Any way we can get added folks to park spaces is a moreover.

“And some individuals really do not have huge yards or yards at all, so becoming in a position to provide that company for the pet dogs to occur and have a fantastic time at our parks is essential to us also.”

So significantly, the study has garnered more than 1,000 responses. Enriquez said the parks department will aggregate the remarks, fears and concerns and then have a couple emphasis teams on any issues lifted about puppy parks.

A larger sized, neighborhood-large function to go around the results and upcoming measures for the canine parks will be held as nicely.

Browse a lot more:

Grand Rapids sets general public hearing on proposed law enforcement drones

Grand Rapids Hearth Section looks to establish consolidated instruction, functions heart on West Aspect

Congresswoman Scholten advocates for inexpensive, significant-good quality childcare in Grand Rapids