Committee reviewing possibility of creating a dog park

PORTLAND — An exploratory committee says there is considerable interest in town for creating a dog park.

The sixmember Dog Park Investigative Committee, which was established by the Board of Selectmen, conducted an analysis of the interest in a park as well as the weighing the various pros and cons of creating a dog park.

There are currently about 1,200 dog parks in the United States, including ones in Cromwell, Glastonbury, New Haven, Hamden and Rocky Hill, according to data compiled by the committee.

The information is contained in a 27page report submitted by the committee.

Currently, there are between 700 to 750 dogs registered in town, according to Town Clerk Ryan J. Curley.

In an appearance before the selectmen, the committee Chairman David Murphy, said, “A fencedin park promotes responsible dog ownership.”

“It provides an outlet for dog owners to socialize with one another,” he said.

What’s more, “It has economic benefits,” Murphy said,

A dog park would not take up much space – perhaps onehalf a one full acre, he said.

Ideally, the park would be separated into sections: one for small dogs, the other for larger dogs.

The park would need “access to water and trees for shade,” Murphy suggested, as well as readily available parking.

The amount of site work would need to minimal, Murphy said, and it would need to have “limited residential impact.”

Ideally, the park would have a separate bathroom facility for twolegged visitors, he said.

Murphy said he and his fellow committee members had spoken with officials in Cromwell and Rocky Hill, both of which have dog parks.

The committee noted the town owns almost 700 acres and the panel reviewed some 8090 potential sites.

Ultimately, the panel compiled a list of 12 possible sites, and then reduced that to “the top five that checked most the boxes,” Murphy said in his presentation to the selectmen.

Those possible sites are: Riverfront Park (off Brownstone Avenue); Nolan Field; Town Hall; Valley View School; and Middlesex Avenue Extension.

The committee also identified five sites that were considered but rejected. They are the Dog Pound; the Keegan property; the Reservoir; Tomasso Field; and the Route 17 Recreation Park.

The committee included a projected budget for a park, should the selectmen agreed to go forward with the proposal: They estimate the cost of creating the park at $20,000 to $30,000 and placed the annual operating costs for the facility at between $500 and $1,000.

The panel even included suggested ways of defraying the operating costs for the park.

Those options include a business sponsorship, animal fundraising events such as a “Pooch Plunge,” or having an owner and dog getting pictures with Santa or the Easter Bunny, possible grants from pet companies and/or agencies.

In addition, the committee suggested “naming opportunities” such as naming a bench or having businesses pay to place business signs on the perimeter fence.

Or, as do professional sports stadiums, the town could set up bidding for “naming rights.”

First Selectwoman Susan S. Banfield said Monday she has asked the exploratory committee to come to the Nov. 6 selectmen’s meeting to present their report to the selectman and residents.

If the selectmen were to approve of the proposal, they would then have to establish an implementation committee.

The committee’s members are Murphy, Sharon Paddock, Chris Ross, David Rutter, Ann Snow and Eva Truyen.