President's Welcome  ●   Holiday Parlor Tour of Homes   ●   Home of the Month  ●   Newsletter  ●   Webmail/Intranet

Highland Park Off Leash Dog Area Information

Old Southwest, Inc. in partnership with NewVAConnects and the City of Roanoke Parks and Recreation Department is proud to announce plans to install an off leash dog area in our neighborhood!

The proposed dog park would be located in the rear of Highland Park, immediately off of the park roadway, near the existing performance stage. It would consist of approximately one acre of fenced area, which permit dog owners in the area to allow their pets to "run free" inside of the fenced area.

Because there are so many questions about the proposed park, we have created this page to assist in distributing information to the neighborhood and it's residents.

As additional details become available, we will post updates to this area, so please be sure to check back regularly! In addition, there is a special section of the online discussion forums dedicated to the dog park! Feel free to post your thoughts, suggestions and concerns in that area. Registration is required (but free!) As an added bonus, you can also get other great information about Old Southwest events and news.

OSW Dog Park Discussion Forum

OSW Dog Park Presentation

On July 17th, Old Southwest, Inc. presented a multimedia presentation to neighborhood residents and members of Old Southwest, Inc at the monthly neighborhood meeting. A printable copy of this presentation may be downloaded by clicking on the following link:

OSW Dog Park Presentation (Adobe PDF, 3.8MB)

OSW Dog Park Presentation (Microsoft Powerpoint, 5.2MB)

Initial reports of the location, size and nature of the dog park have included some incorrect information. These misconceptions are in part due to an improper news report by a local news station, as well as ambiguous, confusing, and incorrect information in the city application to the Architectural Review Board. The following information should help clarify some of the details and address some of the questions and concerns surrounding the proposed area.

Location of the Proposed Dog Park

There has been much discussion about the location of the proposed dog park. After careful consideration of many factors and variables, the dog park steering committee and representatives from the Roanoke Park and Recreation Division selected an area approximately 1 acre in size that is adjacent to the western edge of the park near the wooden performance stage. Below are some reasons about why this location was chosen over some other alternate sites.

Visual Impact

This site was chosen because it minimize the visual impact of the proposed park, both from local residential properties and from the park in general. Because a significant portion of the fenced area does not lie along any roadways, the visual impact will be minimized to people driving through or around the park. In addition, no area of the fenced park is readily visible by any residential properties surrounding Highland Park. 

 

Noise Consideration

The site is located in a natural bowl which will deflect any sound away from residential properties. Because the dog park is located near the current amphitheater (but not in the way of), it will utilize many of the same sound-deflecting properties of the terrain that the amphitheater uses. In addition, because the location is on the edge of the park (near the railroad tracks), it provides for significant "boundary" space between the park and any residential properties in the neighborhood.

 

Accessibility

While the majority of the proposed park is not adjacent to the roadway, a small portion of the park will be next to the park road and currently existing parking lot, which is located near the amphitheater. By locating the fenced area in this spot, we can utilize the currently existing lot (which minimizes the impact on established greenspace) as well as the existing road. A large portion of the fenced area is flat, and future plans for the dog park area may include paved walkways to allow handicapped/wheelchair access to the entire facility)

 

Crime Prevention/Park Utilization

In addition to the reasons stated, this area of the park is underutilized when compared to other areas of Highland Park. While we are currently researching detailed information on crime statistics and arrests in this area of the park, it is a commonly known fact that the area surrounding the stage, when not in use for legitimate purposes, attracts unwanted criminal behavior. This includes drug deals, solicitation/prostitution, and cruising. It is the belief of Old Southwest, Inc and our partners in this project that the installation of a dog park will help curb this activity based on the historical impact that other dog parks have had on crime in other municipalities.

Parking

The proposed location currently allows for off street parking for four vehicles. In discussion is the addition of space for an additional four vehicles as well as "curbside" parallel parking on park drive. By choosing the farthest possible point along park drive from residential properties, the intent of the steering committee was to minimize the impact on residential street parking in the neighborhood. 

 

Terrain & Terrain Features

This location was chosen because it is one of the largest/widest flat spaces in the park that is not in view of residential areas. While about 1/3 to 1/2  of the fenced area does include a slight grade, the mix of hilly terrain and flat ground is appropriate for a dog park. While other sites within the park were evaluated, they were eliminated due to being too narrow (which results in overuse of grassy areas resulting in undesirable mud pits) or for visual impact issues, handicapped accessibility and parking constraints.

 

Landscaping Impact

Because the area in question in lightly landscaped, there is minimal impact to existing trees and bushes in the area. The plan for the dog park includes installation of additional landscaping in the form of benches, fountains and natural elements which will serve both as aesthetic and functional landscaping elements.

 

Recreational Impact

With the exception of 2-3 days a year when sledding is conducted on the hill, the installation of the dog park should have very little impact on other recreational activities within Highland Park. Because the site is not co-located with any other activities, it will not degrade the use of the park by non-dog owners. In addition, during the days when scheduled events are planned at the amphitheater area, event organizers may request that the dog park be closed to ensure that noise does not become an issue. That said, many existing activities/concerts at the amphitheater are already dog friendly! Consideration to the impact on the impact on stage sound characteristics and available seating around the amphitheater has been taken and the impact has been deemed negligable.

 

Access to Utilities

The site was also chosen due to easy access to both electrical and water utility lines.

 

Fence Compatibility

The site was also chosen due to its compatibility with the planned fence and associated materials. Areas with too many terrain features (humps, uneven ground, steep slopes, and trees/greenery) are not conducive to installation of the required fencing materials.

As part of the information on the dog park, we wanted to address a few misconceptions about the proposed dog park:

·         Misconception: A dog park will detract from the natural streetscape and beauty of Old Southwest.

In reality, the proposed dog park will not be visible at all from any residential street in the neighborhood. As it is currently planned, the dog park will lie in the rear of Highland Park , adjacent to the performance stage and the railroad tracks which border the neighborhood. In addition, plans are currently being developed to ensure that the fenced dog park and surround areas are tastefully landscaped in a manner that will blend the fencing and enclosed area with the rest of the park.  

·         Misconception: The installation of the dog park unfairly restricts access to the park for people who don’t own dogs, and results in the loss of an area previously used for other purposes (snow sledding, seating during large concerts at the pavilion, recreation, walking, picnicking, etc).

The residents and individuals involved in bringing a dog park to OSW have given careful consideration to location. The location where the park is proposed leaves plenty of room for sitting area around the stage (for the 1 to 2 concerts a year that might appear). Unfortunately, part of the hill behind the stage will be fenced in, resulting in the loss of sledding on the 1 or 2 days a year there is enough snow to sled. In addition there are several paved/brick walking trails and picnic benches located throughout the park, none of which are in the proposed dog area.  

Given the considerations to overall park usage and utilization, the general consensus amongst those involved is that it is much more worthwhile to see daily use of this section of the park as a dog area, than no use of this section of the park except for 2-5 days a year for sledding. Overall, Highland Park has approximately 32 acres of land. Using 1 to 1.5 acres of space for a fenced dog area still leaves more than ample space for all of the other activities mentioned.  

Finally, the proposed location of the park is currently and historically has been a hot spot for criminal activity in the neighborhood. Reports of and/or arrests for drug dealing, solicitation/prostitution, and indecent exposure have all been made recently in this area. The addition of the dog park should greatly reduce, if not completely eliminate, this activity.

·         Misconception: Property values on streets surrounding the park will be reduced as a result of this installation.

Studies have shown that diversification of community services and recreational activities only RAISE property values. Highland Park is a treasure in the neighborhood- one that increases property values and the overall value of our community. Adding additional improvements that promote social revitalization and physical well being will only help. In addition, the visitors from outside of the neighborhood that come as a result of the dog park will help publicize the great revitalization of our community, hopefully leading to increased interest and demand  from potential homeowners.

·         Misconception: A dog park will result in unpleasant odors in the neighborhood.

It’s a simple fact that dogs (or any animal) generate waste (AKA Poop). As it currently is, our neighborhood is very dog friendly and the park sees dozens of four legged visitors each day. While the errant dog owner occasionally fails to pick up after their pet (in violation of city ordinance), by far and large, the vast majority of area dog walkers are responsible neighbors that clean up after their animals. These responsible owners are the same owners that will be utilizing the off leash area. (Most irresponsible owners don’t even walk their dogs, let alone take them for “play time” at an off leash dog park). With responsible dog owners, the odor from the park isn't an issue. However, even if there should be a small problem from time to time,  there is more than 1-2 acres worth of "boundary" zone between all of the homes and the off leash area, which should be more than enough should there be an issue in the first place.

·         Misconception: There is an unacceptable level of danger posed by dogs and dog fights among dogs not properly leashed.

 As loving and caring dog owners, the last thing we want is to have our dogs put into a situation where they could be injured or hurt. Once again, responsibility lies on dog owners to ensure that the dogs they bring to the park (or anywhere in the city for that matter, on or off leash) need to have proper social skills to interact correctly with other dogs and people. Dogs by nature are social animals- fighting has never been an issue as long as owners follow the rules of the park. Of course dogs are going to "play fight" and chase each other, but there is definitely a difference between play fighting (ears up, tail wagging) and malicious fighting (ears back, teeth bared). Dogs/owners that are not properly socialized will be asked to leave the off leash area.

·         Misconception: There is not enough parking for the proposed park and the addition of parking will further remove green space in area.

While the addition of the dog park is expected to increase use of Highland Park, only 4 additional parking spaces have been planned (approximately an area 20’ x 40’). A trial program to create one way traffic through Highland Park is being considered to allow street side parking, which would add additional spaces if necessary. Being a dog park, it is also anticipated that many residents will walk their four legged friends!

·         Misconception: The dog park will not be properly maintained or cleaned.

Dog owners are expected to clean up after their own pets, and this will be enforced both by residents in the neighborhood who see owners that don't clean up after their dogs and the city. Beyond that, routine care, maintenance, and cleaning of the park (inside and outside of the dog area) are the responsibility of the city Parks and Recreation department. Trash removal (including bagged waste) will be completed by the City’s Division of Solid Waste Management.

·         Misconception: Tax payer money is being used to install the park. This is unfair to people who don’t have dogs or other pets.

To date, the city has not committed any funding towards this project beyond the man-hour resources to help plan and implement the park. While the organizers of the park would not turn down any public funding that may become available at the discretion of city council, fundraising efforts are currently underway to raise 100% of the funds required through private contributions and corporate sponsorship.

 Should public funding become available, residents who don’t own animals should remember that any social or infrastructure project works for purposes towards the greater good in addition to the primary purpose. In this case, public safety through the reduction of crime in the park, increased park utilization, and increased property values are all benefits that will be seen by neighborhood residents, regardless of pet ownership.

·         Misconception: A flat area is more appropriate for handicapped access.

Naturally, consideration has been given to handicapped access. A good portion of the dog area is on level ground in the area near the stage. One of the reasons for this site is due to the fact that it is located immediately adjacent to parking and the roadway for easy access. Of course living in the Roanoke valley and Old Southwest, which is comprised of rolling hills, one would be hard pressed to find an entire acre that had easy access as well as met other considerations (such as proximity to homes and hazards). This site was chosen because it was a good mix of positives from all aspects.