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Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Parks for pooches, bark parks and many other turns of phrases demonstrate a growing trend: The rush to socialize with man’s best friends has expanded to include off-leash spaces in public places.

When Clark County was mostly farm land, most dogs typically were outdoor critters, on duty to guard livestock against predators. The barn was their shelter. Their visits inside the warm house were few or never.

Now, the cuddly canines are homebodies, confined to the house or yard or behind a fence. Confined, and not roaming. Often whimpering. Fido needs freedom to frolic, and that’s why dog parks are in demand.

A recent story in the Neighbors section of The Columbian described the quest for dog parks, and some of the difficulties when fields are too close to homes. Barbara Veals wants to establish a dog park under the Bonneville Power Administration lines in Vancouver’s Northwest neighborhood between Lincoln Avenue and Cherry Street. It is adjacent to the Franklin Park for people.

Veals has learned that establishing a dog park isn’t easy, and can be controversial. Not all people welcome dogs, especially those whose owners don’t pick up after them. She obtained support of residents living next to the park, but found the space — just less than two acres — is small for a would-be dog park. City parks and recreation does not plan to make the area into a dog park, but Veals hasn’t given up.

Seven neighborhood associations have contacted the Dog Owners Group for Park Access in Washington, seeking help. For more information, visit www.clarkdogpaw.org.

Only two dog parks exist now in the county, one temporarily at Vandervort Park on Northeast 172nd Avenue (this dog park is scheduled to move in June to Pacific Community Park) and at the BPA Ross Complex in west Minnehaha. Long-term possibilities include three potential sites near Vancouver Lake, in Brush Prairie and near the Clark County fairgrounds.

Off-leash space becomes more acceptable as pet owners clean up after their animals and control the noise near residential areas. That will bring more public support, which could lead to more romping space for dogs.