DRIPPING DOG PARK
One of the most common questions we receive is whether there is a dog park in the Dripping. The long and short answer is no there is not. There are places you can take your dog (such as Harrison Ranch Park), but not off-leash. Elizabeth Bryant with The Kinetic Canine is trying to get together a get together a group of local citizens who want to start
a dog park to demonstrate to the City of Dripping Springs that the interest is there. If you are interested in helping campaign for
the park, or would use the park, contact Elizabeth Bryant,
CPDT at kinetic-canine.com (phone and email are on the contact page).
Posted by DSBabble.com at Sunday, October 04, 2009 9:01 AM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: dripping springs dog park
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: dripping springs dog park
Beverly,
Just at thought from the City's perspective, but where would this new park be? Is there someone willing to give the City land? Or else someone will have to explain to the City why any of the other parks should have an area that would allow for leashless dogs running free - and who will clean up the mess after the animals. There would be those responsible enough to clean up after their animals, but there would be still others who wouldn't clean up after theirs; and quite honestly that would be the deal killer since we are already short-handed, and to add one more chore to the staff's jobs just isn't in the cards. If there were a group interested in proposing something that involved providing the land (or if they can convince the Council to use one of the existing parks) and would be the group responsible for cleaning up after themselves and others, and also providing for a fencing off of the area, then it it is a possibility that (in my opinion) the Council might consider something of this nature.
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Jon, we just posted information that was sent to us and might be of interest to the community (hopefully like our other posts). You might run these questions and thoughts by the contact in the post in case they don't see the comment. I'm sure they would appreciate it!
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Will do.
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Mr. Thompson wrote me with the same questions. This was part of my response to him:
"Hi Jon,
Thank you for your interest in the development of a dog park in Dripping Springs.
Your concerns and questions about the feasability of a dog park are definitely legitimate ones, but equally, are not insurmountable. Many small towns and cities across America have faced the same questions and problems and have found solutions to them - I have no doubt that Dripping Springs can do the same, with some community support.
Many dog parks are maintained and "policed" by a core group of volunteers. The most successful dog parks are ones that hold regular events to encourage owners to get to know each other - in order to develop a sense of community and foster compliance with park rules. Some parks require a small yearly fee which goes towards park maintenance; others provide a "suggested donation" box to help with expenses. Corporate sponsorship by local animal-related businesses is another option to help defray costs. There are many ways to address the financial and maintenance questions you propose.
As to why to develop a park... the reasons are many. Off-leash play with other dogs provides many dogs with a good outlet for energy that may otherwise be turned towards negative behaviors in the home, a common reason for owner relinquishment. It also provides a place for socialization - if dogs are not regularly exposed to people and other dogs, they can become fearful or aggressive towards them. Dog parks allow like-minded owners to meet and socialize, encouraging park use by a group that might otherwise not go to a park. Having a designated, fenced, place for dogs to be allowed off-leash also decreases the number of loose dogs in areas used for sports or children. Regular events at the dog park can be used to educate owners and encourage responsible ownership. Dripping Springs is rapidly becoming a suburban town - meaning more and more dogs are becoming "backyard dogs" - dogs that rarely get to meet other dogs, so when they do, they do not know how to react - this again can cause
conflict and owner relinquishment.
Thank you for the pointers towards city officials to contact. I've already e-mailed Ms. Seay (a few weeks ago - she was the one who got me started on this campaign, actually). I initially e-mailed her to ask if there were any parks in Dripping Springs that allowed dogs off-leash, as it is a common question from my students. I also asked her if the city had ever thought of developing a dog park, especially since Harrison Ranch Park is currently under development.
Her response was that there was not currently a designated dog park, but that dogs may be allowed off-leash in an area of Harrison Ranch Park. Ms. Seay also responded that there might be potential to develop an area in either Harrison Ranch Park or in Charro Ranch
Park, if there was enough public interest..."
Right now, I am trying to determine if there is interest!
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will someone please clarify where harrison ranch park is? i live close to it, but there is no sign and i don't want to drive onto someone's property.
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It's across from DS Elementary on RR 12. There is a small sign near the entrance.
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