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| Our Mission: |
| Friends of the Dog Park,
Inc. is a non-profit organization open to all dog lovers and dog owners. Our primary focus
is to create and sustain attractive off-leash areas in Lexington-Fayette County and
promote responsible dog ownership through education and recreation. |
| Who
are Friends of the Dog Park, Inc.? |
Friends
of the Dog Park, Inc. (FDP) organized in May 2000 and collected 3,000 signatures on
petitions supporting off-leash areas. In June 2000 the Parks Advisory Board created a Dog
Park Committee to produce a detailed proposal for Dog Parks in
Lexington. Composed of members of the Board, the Parks and Recreation Department, and
FDP,
the committee met for 6 months. We submitted the plan in January 2001 and it was accepted.
All we have to do now is raise money for construction and maintenance. |
| Why Does
Lexington Need Dog Parks? |
Puppies and adult dogs need enclosed areas to
run where they do not endanger themselves or others. Well socialized dogs react well to
new situations and people. Dog owners need a place to exercise with their
pets, just like baseball, soccer, golf, and tennis enthusiasts need specialized
facilities.
Separate off-leash areas are a great way to
help everyone visiting the park by ensuring unleashed dogs do not infringe on the rights
of other park users. Dog Parks also provide a tool for realistic enforcement of leash laws.
With off-leash areas available, there is no excuse for letting dogs run off-leash in
public areas.
These gathering areas promote a sense of
community. Owners exchange information on pet training and health, as well as community
events. Users make new friends they would not have met otherwise, and develop a sense of
shared responsibility for the parks.
Well-exercised dogs are less likely to engage
in nuisance behaviors such as constant barking. Those in frequent contact with other dogs
and humans are calmer and tend to have better social manners. Dog Parks are also ideal places
to conduct dog obedience and puppy socialization classes. |
| Look
What We Have Accomplished! |
Jacobson
Park - We have begun planning a re-design of the current 3 acre dog park.
Coldstream
Park - a 12 acre site, divided into 2 separate paddocks. Fenced!!
March 2006
Masterson
Station Park - move the off-leash area from the unfenced area by the
road to a beautiful horse farm fenced 6 acres area (in the future, this
park will be expanded to a total of 16 acres). Moved & Phase 1 Fenced!! July
2003
Wellington
Park - Coming Soon! We have begun planning a 5.5 acre site at the
new park on the corner of Reynolds and Clays Mill Roads.
Friends
of the Dog Park also plans to add amenities to these parks as funds
permit, such as drinking water, benches, sidewalks, etc..
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| Administration |
| All
Dog Parks will be fenced, double-gated, and supplied with
dog-waste bag dispensers. All will have clearly posted rules that require owners or
handlers to supervise their dogs at all times and to pick up all dog waste, dogs without
current tags and shots, or dogs in heat, will be prohibited. |
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