CPP News Reprint

The News & Observer

The Chapel Hill News

April 9, 2003

Dog parks keep tails wagging

Author: Deborah R. Meyer

Imagine 15 dogs of various sizes and pedigrees, running loose on a half-acre piece of fenced-in land. I envisioned chaos reigning, fur flying and growls terrifying.

How wrong I was, and what fun I had on my first visit last Sunday to a dog park. There are three in Orange County -- the Dog Training Center at the Felicite Latane Sanctuary in Mebane, the dog run at Anderson Park off N.C. 54 West and Homestead Dog Park off the Airport Road end of Homestead Road.

The basic idea of a dog park is that it's a place where dog owners can bring their dogs to socialize with other dogs and run off-leash.

Ingrid Morris invited me to the Homestead Dog Park to check out the action. Morris and her husband, Rob, moved to Carrboro two years ago, dogless. Within two days after unpacking, they were down at the Animal Protection Society shelter to adopt Riley, a graceful canine with hints of border collie, shepherd and black lab. During the adoption process, they learned of the Anderson Park dog run.

The lack of a fence at the dog park dismayed the Morrises, so they quickly discovered Homestead.

"We went there, and it was wonderful for Riley," Ingrid Morris said. "She got to run around and play with other dogs. Also, we got to meet a bunch of new people, some of whom are now good friends."

Now, visits to the dog park are as much a part of their life as work and grocery shopping.

"It's the most fun she has all day," Morris said.

There were 12 dogs on the go when we arrived at 11:15 a.m., and Morris said she's seen up to 20. A couple sat in chairs they'd brought and read the newspaper. Other owners stood in small groups and talked, an ear to the conversation, an eye to the dogs. Balls were lobbed, a Frisbee lofted. A welcoming committee of wagging tails and cold noses scrunched up in anticipation met newcomers entering the gate. Dogs and their owners came and went in a slow flow.

"Owners need to be responsible for their dogs," Morris said. This includes picking up their droppings, she said. Bags are provided by the town. Some folks bring their own.

Morris also stressed the importance of owners watching after their dogs.

"It's great to talk to people, but you really want to watch your dog because sometimes dogs don't mix," she said. "You need to separate and redirect them. I've never seen a dog fight, but I know people whose dogs were in them and got hurt to different degrees."

Morris is amazed at how many times thing don't go wrong. She stressed that it is very important to close the inside and outside gate upon entering the park so no dogs slip out.

"They probably would just run back in because the party is inside the park," she said.

Morris listed a few other important considerations like bringing a bowl for water (there is a water faucet at the park), making sure a dog's vaccinations are up-to-date and, perhaps most important, knowing one's dog.

Morris said some dogs don't enjoy being at the park. And, as listed on the regulations posted on the outside fence, aggressive dogs are not allowed.

Morris and her husband so love the idea of dog parks that they volunteer with the nonprofit Carrboro Parks Project, which is raising money to fence the dog run in Anderson Park. For information or to volunteer go to www.carrboroparks.org.

Riley, of course, was a perfect lady, though she didn't want to depart, even after an hour of romping and racing in the midday sun.

Jordon Wilson, a Hillsborough resident, was at the park with his dad and dog, Sierra, a 25-pound black lab/cocker spaniel mix.

"I like to come because Sierra gets to play with friends," Jordan said.

Sierra cowered when she entered the park but eventually warmed up to the other dogs. Most were bigger and more outgoing than she was.

Dogs that are Sierra's weight and under will soon have their own section of the fenced-in park. Bill Webster, the recreation planner for Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation Department, oversees the park and worked to add the section in response to small-dog owners, who have been concerned that some of the dog play may injure their dogs. Webster uses the park and knows that dogs play rough.

"We live sort of out in the country and tried to let Snowy, our lab and Great Pyrenees mix, run, but she caused problems with the neighbors -- fishing in their pond. Snowy doesn't have a chance to run, and going to the park is her one opportunity to blow off steam. She could stay there for hours, he said.

Chapel Hill is getting one 5-acre fenced-in dog park when the 70 or so acres the town owns south of Southern Village on U.S. 15-501 becomes a park. Webster is thrilled that Anderson Park will be fenced in and that Durham is finishing up a dog park as well.

"The more dog parks we have around, the pressure will come off those we have now," Webster said.

Are you sure your dog will play nice? Jenn Merritt, the dog training program manager at the APS, monitors the Dog Training Center (in Mebane; it costs $35 a year and is 3 acres fenced in) and offers workshops every three months to dog owners. She talks about the subtle ways that dogs communicate and includes a video she created, edited down from 10 hours of dog play she filmed in the Dog Training Center.

"Dog parks are a wonderful thing to have in our communities," Merritt said. "I don't have a fenced-in yard; it's indispensable to me. My household wouldn't be nearly as problem free if I didn't have the park. I don't know how I would be able to handle my dogs' energy level."

Merritt's three Australian Shepherds savor the park.

"I know what a difference taking your dog to a dog park on a regular basis can make in a dog's personality," she said. "They can get their energy out. Most of the problems we see in dogs is a lack of exercise."

The dog etiquette and communication workshops Merritt gives are open to the community. For information call Merritt at 304-2300 or e-mail her at apsdogtraining@aol.com.