SILVER SPRING, MD-The
Montgomery County Department of Parks is recommending that the Planning
Board amend its current policy and development standards for dog parks
in the Department’s 400+ parks system, recommending that these parks
become formal parts of the parks system and that the number and size of
future dog parks are expanded to 3 or more acres in size and smaller in
more urban areas and down county locations.
Dog parks were first
introduced into the parks system as a pilot program in June 2002 at the
request of more than 200 Montgomery County resident dog owners. The 3
pilot dog parks-currently called dog exercise areas-were developed a
half acre in size at Wheaton Regional Park, Black Hill Regional Park in
Boyds and Ridge Road Recreational Park in Germantown. The dog parks are
fenced, off-leash dog exercise areas. In 2004, two additional dog parks
were approved, one for Cabin John Regional Park in Bethesda and the
other at Olney Manor Recreational Park. The dog park at Olney Manor is
scheduled for construction this summer.
The public is invited
to attend the May 10 Planning Board meeting or to submit comments to
Dr. Royce Hanson, Chairman, Montgomery County Planning Board, 8787
Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. The department’s report
and recommendations on dog parks is available online from
www.MontgomeryParks.org (click on “Planning Board,” click on “Read the
Meeting Agenda,” Agenda Item #11).
WHO:
Montgomery County Planning Board
Montgomery County Department of Parks
WHAT:
Montgomery County Planning Board takes up Department of Parks dog parks policy recommendations.
WHEN:
Thursday, May 10, 2007, approximately 4:30 pm
WHERE:
M-NCPPC Montgomery Regional Office Auditorium
8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring
For more information on the Department’s dog parks and other parks, facilities and programs, visit www.MontgomeryParks.org.