Dog Park Supporters Pack Meeting

A large turnout at Monday night's organizational meeting for residents interested in establishing a dog park packed the Viewpoint room at .

More than 40 people showed up at 6 p.m. to talk about potential locations, the park's structure, costs and fundraising, among other topics. They'll meet again on Feb. 15, 6 p.m.

Hills resident Randy Bringardner, who spoke at a , led the wide-ranging discussion, which began with location, location, location.

Mary Willer said her subdivision at Inkster and 11 Mile has 10 acres of property that isn't being used, except for people walking their dogs. Using property left when was also discussed. Spencer Brown suggested , although city officials have said the 211-acre property is designated as a nature park.

"The argument that it's a nature park is shattered when you see the (splash pad)," he said.

Bringardner reiterated what Hills mayor Jerry Ellis said at the Jan. 3 work session, that residents have historically been opposed to any active use of the park.

"When you take on a location that people don't want, it's more work," he said.

Elizabeth Lurie, who also attended the Jan. 3 meeting, suggested the group start looking for potential sites.

"We may have to have three or four small parks," she said.

Ordinance change

But Steven Subelsky of Farmington Hills felt the group was headed in the wrong direction. Instead of finding a site or sites, he said residents should lobby the city council to change its ordinance to allow dogs off-leash in certain parks.

Subelsky worked on the West Bloomfield dog park, located on Halsted north of Maple, because Hills officials were unable to create one. He said supporters of that project showed up at every public meeting about it, and approval of the three-acre park took two years. The group was on probation at first, and the township willingly took it over after an incident-free first year, he said.

The land for the West Bloomfield park was donated by the estate of a farmer, and donations were obtained for fencing and the electronics needed to secure the area. "I don't think they spent more than $20,000," Subelsky said.

Bringardner said the city wants fencing, a security system and a location that's not too close to neighborhoods. But Terry Seraceno, who runs Doctor Paws, Inc. pet-assisted therapy, said the city's main concern is liability. She said therapy dogs are insured for $5 million, to cover the risk of dog bites and other injuries while they work with patients at Botsford Hospital and other facilities.

Along with requiring proof of vaccinations and other safety measures, Seraceno suggested building a "double step through" entrance, so that pet owners could catch problems with aggression before taking their dogs inside the park.

Jaycees involved

Farmington Area Jaycees 2010 president Jessie Boyd, who entered the conversation late, said the Jaycees are interested in assisting with the project. She shared a planning guide the organization uses with its own projects, and said she has access to expertise through Jaycees who have built parks.

The group could also build awareness during community events like the Farmington Area Founders Festival, held July 15-17, 2011 in , she said.

City manager Steve Brock shared the results of an online survey the city developed that showed 85.7% of respondents were interested in having a dog park. The survey is still posted on the city's web site fhgov.com

Bringardner asked everyone to choose an area of interest and sign up to serve on a committee. A steering committee will also be formed to head up the effort.

"This is a good turnout for the first meeting," Bringardner said. "We know we have some organizational work to do."

Correction: This meeting was held in the Viewpoint room at City Hall.