Barking is allowed, leashes aren’t required and running fast is encouraged.
The City of Auburn has plans to establish a leash-free zone for four-legged friends to roam in the form of a new dog park located in Town Creek Park on South Gay Street.
The dog park, which will be the second in the city behind the existing one at Kiesel Park, will be fully accessible and in compliance with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) guidelines.
Alison Boykins Frazier, Auburn’s public works representative for the project, said the idea for the dog park at Town Creek came following a request from a disabled resident.
“In September, the city received a request by a disabled resident for access to the dog park (at Kiesel),” Frazier said. “While temporary accommodations were made to provide her access, a more permanent solution was necessary.”
Frazier said that after reviewing the possibilities of providing permanent ADA-compliant access at Kiesel, it was determined that selecting another space for a second dog park in the city was more practical. Plans for the dog park at Town Creek were approved by the Greenspace and the Parks and Recreation Advisory boards.
“As the dog park at Kiesel is already heavily used by residents, a second dog park would not only help to meet current demand, it could also be located and designed such that it would also be fully accessible to all residents,” she explained.
The dog park, which will be similar to the dog park at Kiesel but slightly smaller in size, will be located to the right of the restrooms in the existing open green space at the front of Town Creek Park. Fencing, lined with new evergreen trees as a screen, will section off the space to allow dogs an opportunity to run free and socialize with other dogs while still being contained. A double gate entrance is also included in plans.
Frazier noted that the park will be convenient to restrooms and parking.
On Tuesday night, the Auburn City Council approved a contract with Morrison Hemphill Construction for a $16,970 sidewalk modification project at Town Creek related to the construction of the new dog park.
Frazier explained that the sidewalk modifications will involve the installation of a sidewalk adjacent to the bathroom heading toward the existing boardwalk and northward. The sidewalk leading to the pavilion will be removed and replaced.
According to Michael Edwards, ADA coordinator for the City of Auburn, the sidewalk project is part of a larger project that includes parking and restroom improvements, which were completed last fall, the dog park and the overall improvement of accessibility to the park’s features.
“This project is aimed at ensuring the city’s programs and facilities comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act,” Edwards said. “Once completed, the project will also provide an additional fully accessible venue for outdoor concert events.”
Frazier said construction on the project should start in the next three to four weeks, weather pending, and work will take about 30-45 days to complete.
Nicloe Miglionico and Amanda Swan sit with Millie at Town Creek Park on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015 in Auburn, Ala
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