An ad hoc committee will be examining several properties both in and outside the Hood River city limits over the next week or more to determine their feasibility as possible dog park sites for public use.
Approximately 30-40 people were in attendance for a meeting Tuesday evening held at the Ty Taylor Fire Station in Hood River for the purpose of discussing options for dog park sites, as well as the elements the public wanted to see in a dog park. The meeting was held by Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District, who would be developing the site, and was attended by members of city government and the Port of Hood River, as well as interested citizens.
HRVPRD Director Lori Stirn reported the committee, consisting of citizens and HRVPRD staff, is initially considering eight parcels where dog parks could be developed:
HRVPRD has also expressed interest in creating a dog park near the Union Street substation, but Stirn said the small lot size and the fact that the city’s ongoing sewer lift station project would make the property undevelopable for several months made that site a less attractive option at the current time.
As for the other potential park sites, Stirn said there was “not really a frontrunner; there’s pros and cons to each site.”
In what Stirn described as an “active” discussion, members of the public provided feedback during the meeting on possible amenities they’d like to see at a dog park, including lights, restrooms, and various types of fencing and gates. She added that access to water — both for play and for thirst — was a chief concern of those who attended.
Stirn said the committee will conduct meetings with neighbors of the proposed park sites to hear their thoughts on the matter. She expected the committee would reconvene next week to further discuss and perhaps narrow down the list of properties.
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