Common Ground

Followers of my blog know that I am a dog lover and have been promoting the concept of a secure area where dogs can run around and play with their owners and socialize with other dogs without the constraints of a leash. The County Parks Department has had a proposal for such an area in Minooka park and in Nashotah park. Many times dog walkers are the biggest users of the county parks system but the rules require that dogs be leashed. People have been asking for space where they can play fetch with their dogs, socialize with other dogs and chat with other like minded dog owners. Current offerings at the Waukesha Dog Run and in Brookfield do not have the security of a fenced in area with gated access.

Secure dog exercise areas have been extremely popular across the country with over 900 having been developed. The county proposals include user permit fees which many others also require which can often make such an area profitable. The City of Waukesha Parks, Forestry and Recreation Department has recognized this trend and the requests of city residents. It has investigated several sites that have potential for off-leash dog activity. However, spending constraints have put such proposals on the back burner.

Realizing that the potential for duplication of services is present, it has been recommended that there be regional cooperation in this. Since Minooka Park is within the boarders of the Cities of Waukesha and New Berlin, a single regional dog exercise area there, funded partly by the cities, can save the cost of each going it's own direction. It is a winning concept for the city and county taxpayers.

City of Waukesha residents have their opportunity to speak out about it at a public hearing Tuesday evening at the City Hall's council chambers at 7:30 PM. More information about what a dog park or dog exercise area is all about can be found at the website of the Waukesha Dog Parks Organization at www.waukeshadogparks.org