New Dog Parks for Central Ann Arbor?

An effort to develop off-leash dog parks in central Ann Arbor took a step forward at the Ann Arbor park advisory commission’s Aug. 21, 2012 meeting. The commission unanimously voted to direct its dog park subcommittee to work with city staff and develop recommendations that could lead to additional off-leash dog parks. Those recommendations are expected to be presented at PAC’s Sept. 18, 2012 meeting.

John Lawter, PAC’s vice chair, has been leading this effort – though he did not attend Tuesday’s meeting. A year ago, he gave a presentation on the topic at PAC’s Aug. 16, 2011 meeting, and cited the need for another off-leash area in the central part of the city. There are only two legal off-leash dog parks in Ann Arbor, at Olson Park and Swift Run – on the far north and south sides of the city. He recommended incorporating this goal into the city’s park planning efforts, adding it as a consideration when looking at land acquisitions, and asking that parks staff actively look for potential sites.

At the Aug. 20 meeting, park commissioner Karen Levin gave an update on the situation and proposed the resolution asking for formal recommendations. She said that parks staff would be asked to review all possible options, including unfenced off-leash hours in some city parks.

This brief was filed from the second-floor city council chambers at city hall, 301 E. Huron. A more detailed report will follow: [link]