By Emily Ford
eford@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY – Town Creek Park may be going to the dogs.
City Council on Tuesday will consider a proposal to create the city’s first dog park at Town Creek Park, located at the Civic Center on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue.
The council meets at 4 p.m. in City Hall, 217 S. Main St.
Although a dog park has been part of the Salisbury Park and Recreation Comprehensive Master Plan since 2009, the city hasn’t had the $45,000 needed to get the idea off the ground.
This spring, a group of residents approached Park and Rec with a plan to raise the money to build the park, as well as $3,500 a year for annual maintenance costs. The money would come from a combination of fundraising events and the sale of advertising space on the fence that would surround the park.
In urban settings, a dog park offers owners the opportunity to meet other residents, as well as providing a safe place to bring dogs for socialization and exercise off leash, staff told City Council in a memo.
Due to a lack of government funding, many local communities are partnering with residents to raise money for dog parks.
The $45,000 initial construction cost would include fencing, an entry gating system, water and electric installations, benches, water fountain, dog waste stations, trash cans and grass.
A second phase down the road, priced at $16,000, would include concrete play tubes, an additional water fountain, more trash cans and benches and shade trees.
Fido would have to be registered with Parks and Rec for his owner to receive an entrance key and information packet. He also must be licensed and current on rabies and DHLPP vaccines.
Fundraising efforts would include selling brick pavers and sponsorship for fencing sections and other park features. Volunteers are planning build-the-park events like dog washes, auctions and a dog walk and costume contest.
Supporters could buy decorated, decommissioned fire hydrants that would be installed in the park.
Organizers would run a volunteer program that would train people to assist with park maintenance, help park users, maintain dog waste stations, conduct spring and fall clean up days and help with landscaping.
Also on Tuesday, City Council will consider:
• A presentation from the Community Appearance Commission regarding the 1000 block of South Fulton Street, which has been named the recipient of the 2012 BlockWork neighborhood improvement program.
During the one-day project on Oct. 27, community volunteers will assist residents in cleaning up sidewalks, yards and homes.
• Closing the 400 block of North Lee Street from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Oct. 13 to accommodate Looking Glass Artist Center’s annual fundraiser and car show.
• Closing the 200 block of Mitchell Avenue from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 31 for the Fulton Heights Halloween Parade.
• A presentation from Lutheran Services for the Aging regarding its community stewardship report.
• Closing a portion of Brawley Avenue from Corriher Avenue to Lantz Avenue and part of the alley behind 304 W. Corriher Ave.
Council will hear from staff and hold a public hearing.
• Amending the solid waste ordinance to reflect the new recycling program.
Council will hear from staff and hold a public hearing.
• Receive a presentation regarding the Technical Assistance for Brownfields program and hear public comment on areas of suspected environmental contamination in the city.
The city is pursuing an EPA assessment grant of up to $400,000 to determine if the old Kesler mill site is contaminated, as well as other areas.
• Receive a comparative analysis of privilege license fees on internet gaming machines from surrounding communities.
• Consider restricting parking in the 1100 block of South Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue at the request of Rufty-Holmes Senior Center.
• Hear from City Manager Doug Paris.
Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.