Latrobe Park in Locust Point has become the site of the city's second dog park. Located on the Andre Street side of the park, the 10,000 square foot playground for dogs cost about $200,000, paid for in part by the Locust Point Dog Park Supporters (LPDPS), a community organization.
"We kicked off the effort [to build a dog park in Locust Point] about two years ago. We raised $50,000 towards the cost of the park. Once we accomplished that, we went to the city and the city realized that we had a committed volunteer group and they offered to do a public/private partnership with us,"explains Meg Kelley, LPDPS treasurer.
With the city onboard, the park quickly took shape with extra elements thrown in for good measure.
"There are things in the park that we otherwise wouldn't be able to have [without the partnership with the city]. Initially we were hoping to just have a fence around some grass so that the dogs can get off the leash. Now, it has a water feature where dogs can play, a hill made out of special dog turf so we can keep the park as clean as possible. We're one of the first dog parks to have that. It helps keep the park clean because we can hose it down and disinfect it.," she says.
Drainage was installed to make the park environmentally friendly and the city also added a "big tree stump" as an additional play feature for the dogs that they run over.
"It's quite a nice addition to our neighborhood," Kelley says.
For those familiar with the city's original dog park in Canton, this one is about the same size, but with a few more bells and whistles. For instance, there's a water feature that snakes, creek-like across a corner of the park -- dogs can splash in it or even have a drink. And a big hill in the middle is covered with artificial canine turf, to keep it looking green all year.