LaFayette unveils details for dog park
LaFayette Parks and Recreation Director Jason Shattuck held a public meeting Tuesday, March 22, for input on the upcoming dog park in LaFayette.
The park, tentatively set to open May 1, will be built at the Ross Abney Complex beside the old LaFayette High School football field.
Shattuck said the city wants to become more dog-friendly, like Dalton, which has a similar dog park.
The cost of setting up the park, mostly fencing, will be probably be between $2,300 and $3,100. Shattuck said the goal is to have a fenced park for larger dogs and another one for smaller dogs.
After the dogs enter the holding area, they will be unleashed and released inside the park, where they are free to run and play, Shattuck said.
“Doggie doo” stations would be available. Two to =-three stations will be located inside the park and about that same number along the running track.
There will be park benches and a pavilion on site as well.
Shattuck said the dog park will have security lights and will be open from dawn to dusk.
“It’s a form of recreation that a lot of places just don’t quite already have. Once they find it and once they see it, it becomes very popular among people that probably aren’t using us a lot, like the elderly or millennials that may not have kids yet, but they have a place to take their dog,” Shattuck said.
Some of the themed event ideas being considered include a dog parade, a “Santa Paws” for Christmas, dog and human marathons, to name a few.
The park is not for aggressive dogs, Shattuck said.
Shattuck said Walker County Animal Shelter Director Alison Smith wants to partner with the dog park as well as offer service to the park, including dog obedience classes.
This also allows for dogs to learn about socialization with other canines.
One interested resident who attended the meeting said he has a hard time walking his dog around street areas like West Indiana Street and Duke Street due to motorists driving fast and he sees the dog park as a great idea and a place he can take his dog for exercise.
Shattuck said the recreation department is looking for sponsors for the dog park and can contact him at 706-639-1590.