Historical November–December 2018 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Since the success of the pop-up dog park at the Better Block day in 2014, the buzz for creating a permanent dog park has been building.
As anyone who looks out their window sees, we have gobs of dogs in the Skinker DeBaliviere neighborhood. Unfortunately, most houses have relatively small yards and some have no yards, so free running is not a regular form of exercise for our dogs – unless of course you drive to a dog park.
This is a hassle, not great for the environment and most importantly, not an option for many of our Skinker DeBaliviere neighbors. Creating a dog park that is within walking distance will give more dog owners the opportunity for an exciting enrichment to our dog’s daily routine.
But the benefit doesn’t stop at the dogs.
If you’ve ever been to a dog park, you know that people visit with each other while their dogs play. Friendships develop because of a shared love of dogs. Age, occupation, dare we say political views (?) and other differences matter less. Dogs and their antics, bring us together. Plans are progressing well.
A leadership team was formed this past Spring that has been meeting to work out details, create documents (e.g. Frequently Asked Questions, budget).
They will be going before the Skinker Debaliviere Council soon.
The team has also been surveying neighbors to quantify interest in annual membership. Spoiler alert: There is a LOT of interest.
The park will be operated and maintained by a leadership group under the umbrella of the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council.
It will be a fee based park.
If all goes well, you’ll be seeing dogs playing in The Dog Park of Skinker DeBaliviere in the late 2019. Short Mission Statement: The Dog Park of Skinker DeBaliviere will provide a beautiful gathering point to build community within our neighborhood and to give our dogs a safe place to run, fetch, socialize and play.
The planned location, north of the school parking lot on Des Peres (east side), is on land that SDCHC owns; they are ready and expect to have a use agreement with SDCC for the Dog Park Membership Group’s use of the site as a dog park.
Original photograph caption
Pop-up dog park, twenty fourteen. Dogs behave better when they exercise regularly. Neighbors are better neighbors when they know each other. A dog park creates the space for both.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November–December 2018.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2018_11.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
