2008 Woodie Awards
Pup park plan needs new home
Jason Levine
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Waterview Park (WP) officials want to give its residents' dogs a treat far better than bones and biscuits.
WP officials allocated $20,000 for a half-acre dog park in the median area between WP Phases I and III, but upon submitting of the proposal to university officials, the location was denied by Business Affairs, said WP manager Jonathan Denton. More than a hundred dogs are registered in WP.
In the future plans for Business Affairs, an impending road might be built through the area within the next couple of years, which was the main reason for the refusal, said Vice President of Business Affairs Calvin Jamison.
"There's also a large natural drain that runs through the campus down there, so that would not be the most beneficial area to have it," said Director of Housing Operations Matt Grief.
To accommodate the natural drain, the dog park would have to be built in a way that doesn't prevent the drain from flowing and impede the flow of water, Grief added.
The university must approve any alterations to WP property because the university owns the land, Denton said.
"We feel (the area between Phase I and III) is out in the open, so it has accessibility to the rest of the students. And, it's as close to the middle as campus as you can get for people with dogs, so it would not going be a far walk for them," Denton said. "We thought that if we put it in the middle like that, it would decrease the smell and noise."
The other two locations considered for the dog park are in the middle of Phase I or Phase II, and both would be smaller than the half-acre originally planned, Denton said.
"We talked to city managers and multi-family master plan community developers that have installed dog parks in their areas and they have given us a lot of pointers and tips and so we're very confident," Denton said. "It wouldn't just be a fence; it would be a very nice inviting place for you and your pet."
The dog park would have metal tables and benches, as well as shade trees and an awning, Denton said. Plans include stations to dispose of dog waste and a water fountain for both humans and dogs.
"We want to put some buffalo grass in also because we've been told that dogs like to play in tall grass," Denton said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 18
Jim
posted 9/25/08 @ 12:16 PM CST
Personally I don't think Waterview should have a dog park.
1) College students shouldn't have dogs. They're too busy, live in cramped apartments, and (let's face it,) are still getting the hang of responsibility for themselves, much less taking care of another living being. (Continued…)
dog lover
posted 9/25/08 @ 11:12 PM CST
um, I believe that if college students WANT to have dogs & believe they have the time & money to take care of them, then that's their decision. Not all college students are completely irresponsible, & if you believe that, then what does that make you?
POWER TO DOG OWNERS!
Sami
posted 9/26/08 @ 12:50 PM CST
A dog park is a great idea! Not all college students are "still getting the hang of responsibility." I for one had been taking care of dogs and cats and ferrets and a snake for years before going to school and there's nothing I miss more (including my family) than my puppies. (Continued…)
Melissa
posted 9/26/08 @ 9:37 PM CST
Why NOT have a dog park? The equipment can stay there until administration can get off their duffs and put in a road, and then it can be relocated elsewhere. (Continued…)
Channah
posted 9/29/08 @ 9:43 AM CST
I am not a dog person, but it is not obvious to me why dog parks are a nuisance to non-dog-owners. If a dog is a nuisance, taking it to a dog park means it isn't somewhere else where it might be a nuisance. (Continued…)
Emily
posted 9/29/08 @ 5:34 PM CST
Putting a park on campus will allow people to be better dog owners because the dogs will get to run and play and it will be at a closer location than the one at spring creek. (Continued…)
Caitlin
posted 9/30/08 @ 12:28 AM CST
Random question, if you lived on campus & noticed a couple walking their dog, & it happened to be a rottweiler, would you be worried about it & notify someone, or would you think maybe it's a good dog, not an agressive one?
Brendon Feagans
posted 9/30/08 @ 10:47 AM CST
Why don't they put in the big field down by phase II? There currently is nothing there, but a slab of concrete used for cricket games. The field is huge, and they could put it anywhere. (Continued…)
Missy
posted 10/01/08 @ 7:42 PM CST
1. I live in phase 1 and i think it is a great idea to have a dog park.
2. most dogs that are known to be violent are larger than 30 lbs, so a rottweiler would be in violation of the lease anyway. (Continued…)
Shayna
posted 10/04/08 @ 9:51 PM CST
Does that mean only Waterview residents could use it, or all UTD students?
I think it's a great idea... but it would be nice if those of us who are not Waterview residents could use it, too. (Continued…)
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