Group wants to unleash dogs at Ottawa Park; board opposes idea

Supporters of a proposed dog park - including Tina Yoppolo, center, with Bella, on the ground, and Max, in her arms - watch as the Ottawa-Jermain advisory board holds a news conference. THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY Enlarge | Photo Reprints

Harry Ward, right, of the Ottawa-Jermain Parks Advisory Board declares the group's opposition to the dog park idea. THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY Enlarge | Photo Reprints

A city advisory group wants to keep Ottawa Park from going to the dogs.

The Ottawa-Jermain Parks Advisory Board, which consults with city officials on ways to protect and best use the two parks, is dead-set against putting a fenced-in area next to the Nature Education Center in Ottawa Park that would be Toledo's first so-called dog park where canines would be able to run without being leashed.

Proponents of the dog park, organized in a group called Toledo Unleashed, have worked on the project for about year and say they hope to have it operational by month's end if they raise the necessary money.

The dog park would be 2 to 2.5 acres in size and enclosed by a 5-foot-high split-rail fence lined inside with wire mesh.

Yesterday, the parks advisory board held a news conference near the planned site on Kenwood Boulevard to spell out the reasons for its opposition. Among those in attendance were members of Toledo Unleashed and their pooches, the latter of which seemed to have a fine time getting acquainted.

Harry Ward, the advisory board's vice president, said the park location was close to an area of Toledo with a high concentration of pit bulls. He worried the owners would bring their dogs to the park after hours to stage illegal fights.

He faulted the dog park plan on several points: Dogs Unleashed had no written pact with the city, it did not have a budget approved by the city, it had no operations plan including hours and fees, it had no security system for the enclosure, and no liability insurance.

Kevin Mullan, who heads Dogs Unleashed, was on hand to answer the criticisms: his group would have an agreement with the city, there was no need for the city to approve its budget, the dog park's operating hours would be the same as the park's, and the group planned to obtain insurance coverage.

Mr. Mullan said the dog park would be locked and only registered users would have keys. There was no need for the electronic pass system advocated by Mr. Ward, he added.

Mr. Ward and Mr. Mullan reasoned earnestly with each other, but there was no meeting of minds.

The city administration has been working with Toledo Unleashed to make the dog park a reality, according to Jen Sorgenfrei, Mayor Mike Bell's spokesman.

The plan calls for leasing the Nature Center building to the group for $1 per year for use in adoption, obedience training, and educational programs, she said. Dogs Unleashed would be responsible for paying all utilities and the maintenance of the fenced-in area.

"There can be no expenditure of city funds," Ms. Sorgenfrei said.

Mr. Mullan said the dog park would cost an estimated $15,000 to $20,000 annually to operate. He said about 120 dog owners have expressed interest in using it so far. The charge would be $60 for the first dog and $25 to $30 for each additional dog, with a limit of three dogs per person.

Toledo Unleashed's Web site can be visited at toledounleashed.org.

Contact Carl Ryan at:

carlryan@theblade.com

or 419-724-6050.