Dog Park Capacity

 Borrowed with gratitude from alaskadockdogs.org

According to what I found on the web, a dog park's capacity should be about 25 dogs per acre. I suppose that depends upon how big the dogs are, what the topography is like, how much water is available, etc.

The Ashland dog park is 2 acres total. There is a part sectioned off that apparently was intended for small dogs but is mainly used for incorrigables, the frightened, and the misbehaved. It's probably 1/4 acres. That leaves 1-3/4 acre--or space for 35-ish dogs--in the main yard.

I know that I've seen that many dogs there more than once. And with dog size disparities, it's hard to really feel that 2 acres is adequate capacity for 35 critters. Energy levels also play a huge role in the comfort zone.

Two acres is pretty meager when you consider how much open space goes to waste in our town! Come on, Ashland! Cut us some more slack for our companions!

Yay! It's Not Just Me!

 Image borrowed with gratitude from Alan Kennel and Dog Training Academy

Please, please, please read this Ashland Daily Tidings article by Vicki Aldous!!

I'm so happy to know that I'm not the only one fed up with anti-dog sentiment in Ashland! And at the end there's a great comment. I gripe about taxes but John T brings up the loss of tourist income from the excessive ban on dogs.

"Is Ashland Unfriendly to Dogs?"

Guest Blogger . . . Sorta

 

Borrowed with gratitude from Bark Talk. Cute!

This came from "Anonymous," but it is quite to the point:

I totally agree that we humans will have to be extra responsible about our dogs in order to change things, but we can do it. I too will not go to Lithia Park because I can't take my dog, Leo with me even in a backpack. This town is getting way too precious in the way it limits access to its spaces. 

Come on, Ashland! Let's get REAL!

A DAILY Drive to the Dog Park

Image borrowed with gratitude from BP T-Shirts. Buy one!

While we're on the topic of why it makes sense to limit dog+human access to public spaces, let's talk a little about GAS! No, not the noxious stuff that our furry friends sometimes emit. Let's talk about the stuff that is $4 per gallon, causes global warming, and is generally considered evil by Ashlanders.

Let's talk about the fact that nearly all of us who frequent the dog park HAVE TO DRIVE THERE! As we drive, we pass parks, schoolgrounds, and practice fields that are EMPTY! I repeat E M P T Y!! Devoid of users, but replete with taxpayer-funded, well-watered, meticulously mowed grass.

Oh, and did I say DEVOID OF USERS?

Does this sound foolish and wasteful to anyone but me?

Guest Bloggers Welcomed

Image borrowed with gratitude from batonrougetoday.com

Yeah, I started this whole thing, but I'm not planning to be the last word.

Send YOUR thoughts, ideas, suggestions. Our doggies need a village!

I Wanna Read This Guy's Book

Which Sign Would You Choose?

Here are a couple of examples of dog-related signage around Ashland:

 The top sign is at the dog park. Seems reasonable enough, right?

The second one is the old sign from the SOU practice field. It's cranky, but has been replaced by an even stupider one that demands dogs remain on leash. It's very tough to play ball or Frisbee with a dog on a leash, right?

The bottom sign is at Bellview School. The same wording is up at Lincoln Elementary and probably other places.

The interesting thing about the Bellview School sign is that the sign says No, but there is (or was, since I don't go there anymore) a mailbox with poop bags in it on the school grounds with a sign that asks people to clean up after their dogs.

Mixed message, right?

Omar and I were run off Bellview School grounds by two huffy ladies, one of whom called the cops.

I know of another incident at the SOU field which resulted in a 60 year old woman being tackled to the ground AND ARRESTED for playing with her dog!

Got this comment to my initial blog post:

The city should try an experiment. Open up a park to dogs. Provide poop pickup bags and a trash can. Place a sign explaining that as long as the area is kept clean, dogs will be allowed. If it works out, open another park, and another…

Good idea! Great, in fact! What would it take for this to happen?