Charlotte, NC-- Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department plans to build its first dog park in uptown Charlotte in the next few months. The new doggy facility will be located in Frazier Park, along I-77 near West Trade and Sycamore Streets.
This dog park will serve the rapidly growing community of condominiums and apartments in uptown. Projections by Center City Partners anticipate an uptown population of more than 20,000 persons within four years. This addition to Frazier Park would allow pets of this population the chance to run free for the first time, off-leash, inside a fence.
The dog park is tentatively planned to cover 1.3 acres--with sections for small dogs (.4 acre) and large dogs (.87 acres) inside a vinyl-clad chain link fence about six feet high. This dog park will have a public water supply, and officials hope it will be the first dog park in the system to feature "doggie furniture," with ladders, ramps, and tunnels where pets may frolic with their masters. Officials expect to begin construction in early spring. Because little landscaping is required, they hope the dog park can be opened by early summer, 2008.
Construction of this dog park is estimated to cost $40-60,000, paid for in part by proceeds from the annual Harris-Teeter/Purinaź Bark in the Park dog festival and from fees charged for "pooch passes" by dog-owners to use the County's existing four dog parks at:
In the past, Mecklenburg dog parks required a membership, but that system and its fees are now being phased out. All Mecklenburg dog parks will be free for public use by July 1, 2008. There will be no pooch passes or fees required at Frazier Park. Dog owners must still vaccinate their animals against rabies according to state statute, city and county ordinance. Dog owners are still responsible for pets in the off-leash area.
The idea of a new dog park in Frazier Park was well-received by neighbors at a community workshop January 14. Park and Recreation staff will draw a master plan for the dog park for approval by the Park and Recreation Commission in the next two months.
