Roanoke Dog Park

The Roanoke Dog Park Steering Committee is receiving several of the same questions from people interested in our efforts and what we are doing.  Please read below to see answers to questions you may have about putting a fenced, off-leash, public dog park in the City of Roanoke.  If you have additional questions, please email them to: roanokedogpark@gmail.com.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why am I making a donation to the City of Roanoke? 

The Roanoke Dog Park Steering Committee is a group of volunteers organized through NewVaConnects, a local young professional organization affiliated with the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce. Neither the Chamber nor NewVaConnects is a 501c3 (tax-exempt) organization. Not only would we have had to start an entirely new non-profit corporation (which means more paperwork and time), but as the effort is a true partnership between our group and the City of Roanoke, and we are using City land, it makes sense financially as well as structurally to filter donations through the City of Roanoke's Parks & Recreation Department.  And best of all, donations will be tax deductible - so this truly is a "win-win" situation!

Why aren't my tax dollars paying for a public dog park?

We hear this question often.  To the City of Roanoke's credit, it is a priority of the City to create a fenced, off-leash area, open to the public.  Sadly, as the Parks & Rec budget was submitted this year, it does not seem likely there will be $30,000 allocated for this fenced, off-leash, public dog park.  As many of us know, localities are also facing difficult budget situations with projected cuts as high as 5.4% this fiscal year alone!  Most citizens rightfully feel as though programs such as public safety, education and social services should be funded long before a dog park.  NewVaConnects saw an immediate need for a fenced, off-leash park in the Roanoke area and offered to assist the City in raising funds for the first park.  Our hope is that this first dog park will be so successful and so well-used that the City will understand the need to build more of them!  But in the meantime, as the saying goes, if you want something done, sometimes you have to do it yourself!

Have other jurisdictions used private organizations to fund a public dog park?

YES!  Partnerships between municipal governments and local organizations have proven successful to creating dog parks all across the country. 

In fact, the world's first public dog park, the Ohlone Dog Park in Berkeley, California, is organized as a public/private partnership.  Located in the heart of the city on a public greenway, this dog park was first established by the City of Berkeley as an experimental project in 1979.  The park's steward, the non-profit Ohlone Dog Park Association (http://www.ohlonedogpark.org/) has an ongoing partnership with the City to ensure the dog park's quality and historical significance are maintained.

Are there other public dog parks located in Virginia?

Of course!  If you haven't had the opportunity to visit one of the Commonwealth's public dog parks, check one out online:

www.ecoanimal.com/dogfun/virginia.html

www.metropets.org/yellowpages/parks.php

In Fairfax County:

All of Fairfax County's dog parks are public/private partnerships, developed in cooperation with sponsering organizations of pet owners.  The sponsors are the agency's liaison between users and local residents, Animal Control, and the Police Department.  They monitor and clean up the facilities, publicize dog park rules and regulations, and report maintenance needs to the Park Authority.  Visit their websites at: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/offleash.htm or www.restondogs.org.

In Norfolk:

To learn more about dog parks in Norfolk, VA, please visit: www.norfolk.gov/rpos/dogparkslocations.asp.

Why do we need a fenced dog park instead of residents using the off-leash area that is currently at Fishburn Park?

Many dogs are trained for basic obedience, but few are trained to respond 100% of the time to voice commands.  As many of us know, Fishburn Park is very close to a busy street (Brambleton Ave).  The off-leash area, which is not currently fenced, was being under-utilized by residents.  The Dog Park Committee feels this is because many people were afraid to let their dogs run off-leash due to the lack of fencing and nearby traffic.  In addition, many people use this park for disc golf, tennis, running, and walking, and kids play on the playground.  How many dogs do you know that don't chase after a frisbee, tennis ball or child if they see one?  A fenced-in area designed for use by dogs and their people would allow those who are using the park's other amenities and uncomfortable around dogs to not have to be subjected to them running off-leash.  Overall, we feel a fenced, off-leash, public dog park is safer option both for our pets and residents who enjoy the park.

Will County residents be allowed to use the public, fenced dog park?

Yes!  Parks are a public place that can be used by all residents.  Dogs will still need to be licensed by the locality they are from and follow all other dog park rules.