City signs off on pet park that could be completed by year's end
07:47 AM CST on Thursday, February 9, 2006

By KATHY A. GOOLSBY / The Dallas Morning News

It took more than a year of barking, but Grand Prairie dog lovers are howling for joy after the City Council on Tuesday night unanimously approved construction of a 5-acre dog park.

The news was better than a scratch behind the ear for Deb Koplen, president of Paw Pals of Grand Prairie. She jumped for joy outside council chambers after the vote.

"We got it! We got it!" she exclaimed, while clutching a toy pooch she brought as a stand-in for her dog, Miss Chips.

The park plan initially was presented to the council in September, but it was tabled after several members voiced concerns over the $490,029 price tag. Parks director Rick Herold asked for more time to work on reducing the cost.

The new plan calls for city staff to handle the design and development of the area of Veteran's Park, reducing the cost to $333,450.

"Nothing has changed since the last time you saw the plans," Mr. Herold told the council during a briefing session before the regular meeting. "The key thing is the cost has been reduced by $156,000, and the plan has the full support of the park board at this reduction."

The park will be built next to Prairie Paws Adoption Center, the city's animal services facility at 2222 W. Warrior Trail. It will include an off-road parking lot, separate fenced areas for large and small dogs, a leash-control area and a restroom with a fenced pet enclosure.

Funding will include $211,000 left after construction of the adoption center. Unobligated money in the Municipal Facilities Capital Projects Fund will make up the remaining $121,000.

Officials plan to break ground within two weeks. The park could be ready by the end of the year.

Paw Pals members have pledged to help with day-to-day operations, including assigning volunteers to ensure that the park is clean and that rules are followed.

"One of the things we have to do is start recruiting park stewards, and we're also planning some fundraisers to help at the park," Ms. Koplen said.

Council member Jim Swafford welcomes the group's help, but he noted the park has to be able to stand on its own.

"They may never get anything going, so the city has to be able to pay for the initial costs," Mr. Swafford said. "But certainly we would welcome volunteers to help in the park and also defray operating costs."

Ms. Koplen said there is such a huge need for dogs to have a place to run and play free of their leashes that within 10 years, "we'll have three or four dog parks in Grand Prairie."