Austin steps closer to a dog park

Published 9:51 am Thursday, September 8, 2011

AUSTIN — Austin’s canines may soon have a place to roam — at least on paper.

The Austin Parks and Recreation Advisory Board unanimously voted to recommend an area at the bottom of Second Street Southeast for the location of a dog park. City Council members will vote on whether to approve the location Sept. 19.

Mike Schatz, the co-coordinator of Start a Park for Austin’s Respectable K-9s (or SPARK), said he is pleased with the proposed location. The land is near a parking lot, across from the Veterans Pavilion.

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“We think that’s an ideal place for the park to be,” Schatz said. “It seems pretty isolated. There won’t be much opposition, if any, because it’s away from the houses.”

Schatz said SPARK members will begin fundraising for the dog park once City Council approves the location.

SPARK comprises area residents hoping to bring a dog park to Austin; the group plans to fund a portion of the project to keep costs low for the city.

Though nothing is set in stone, the park would likely be surrounded by a six-foot fence. There are trees for shade and restrooms and drinking water available across the street at the Veterans Pavilion, too, said Austin Park and Recreation Director Kim Underwood.

Schatz said SPARK’s goal is to raise around $25,000, which would be used to cover the cost of the fence and some upkeep and maintenance costs.

“It shouldn’t interfere with anybody,” he said. “And SPARK is paying for the fence, so I really hope the City Council does something.”