News
Neighborhood Hopes for Midtown Dog Park
Community council supporting remake of park at 31st and Arctic
By Lacie Grosvold
ANCHORAGE - A new dog park planned in Midtown is good news for city dogs who spend a lot of their days cooped up indoors.
Tomorrow the Midtown Community Council will be meeting with the city's Parks and Recreation Department to discuss the final details of turning the park at 31st and Arctic Boulevard into a fenced dog park, the first of its kind in the state. Midtown Community Council members say the park isn't used very much and dog owners nearby could benefit from a place within walking distance for their dogs to play.
The project was made possible through an $83,000 state grant.
A few miles away at Connors Bog, people walked their dogs on trail system that isn't fenced, but owner Judy Middleton said she could see the benefit. She said it would be especially useful for younger, less trained puppies. "There's always that fear of them running in the traffic," she said.
Having a place for dogs to roam is important said dog owner Michele Shapiro. "They get real grumpy if they don't get to have a little adventure from time to time," she said referring to her two small dogs.
Kenall Galloso-Richardson said he's heard about fenced dog parks in the Lower 48. He said getting out is important for his dog who spend a lot of time inside while he's at work.
The Midtown Community Council is hoping for a showing of support from dog owners at its meeting Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Spenard Recreation Center.
