Health & Fitness
Dog Park Proposed in East Falls
A dog park has been proposed in East Falls, and a local resident has taken the initiative of setting up a planning committee.
Though many dogs in Roxborough and its surrounding neighborhoods have the option of exercising in their own backyards, their owners still enjoy the socialization that comes with taking their dogs to a dog park. But legitimate parks are hard to come by in Northwest Philadelphia.
Manayunk has Pretzel Park. Nearby Wyncote has Curtis Dog Park. Schuylkill River Dog Park is also nearby, but currently under construction.
Kelly Grieco is spearheading an exploratory Dog Park Committee of the East Falls Community Council, and is quickly gaining the support of local residents.
Find out what's happening in Roxborough-Manayunkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Proposed locations include: McMichael Park, the corner of Conrad and Queen Streets, the 3000 block of Warden Drive, Inn Yard Park, McDevitt Recreation Center, and the corner of Ridge Avenue and Scotts Lane.
The park organizers will likely have to contend with opposition to the park. Detractors usually fear excess noise from barking dogs, an increase in dog waste left on sidewalks, fights between dogs, or attacks on children.
Find out what's happening in Roxborough-Manayunkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Kevin Smith, who helped organize Pretzel Park in Manayunk, says in comments to Newsworks.org that those fears never materialized when Pretzel Park opened, thanks to self-policing dog owners.
Supporters believe that building the park will increase foot traffic in East Falls, and increase business, particularly at restaurants and cafes that allow dogs on their outdoor patios.
Interested in getting involved? Email eastfallsdogpark@gmail.com, or visit East Falls Dog Park Planning Committee on Facebook.
