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Milwaukee County Parks gets additional funding for Dog Parks! |
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Granville Dog Park
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In 2009, the Milwaukee County Executive and County Board approves additional funding for Dog Exercise Areas.
There will be a Public Information Session hosted by the Milwaukee County Parks Department, regarding the proposed improvements to the Granville Dog Park Wednesday August 19, 2009 6:00 to 7:30 PM
Dretzka Clubhouse 12020 W. Bradley Milwaukee
Milwaukee County Parks’ Q&A publication noted below.
July 21, 2009
Granville Dog Exercise Area
History of the Dog Parks in Milwaukee County
1996: File no. 95-372 (a) (a) – Changes chapter 47 General Ordinance to permit off-leash dog exercise areas in Milwaukee County Parks.
1999: working closely with Partners in Parks, Inc. (PIP), the first Dog Exercise Area is established at Granville Off Leash Dog Park north of Good Hope and 116th Street, land under the jurisdiction of the Milwaukee County Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture. PIP operates and maintain the DEA with the stipulation of not charging fees.
2005: Runway Dog Park opens on Rawson Avenue.
2009: Parks Director requests, County Executive and County Board approves additional funding for Dog Exercise Areas.
Benefits of Dog Parks Allows dogs to exercise and socialize safely Promotes responsible dog ownership Provides an outlet for dogs owners to socialize Makes for a better community by promoting public health and safety
2009 Phase II Dog Parks-Granville Dog Exercise Area In 2009, the Parks Department requested funding to develop new DEAs within Milwaukee County. The capital description of the types of DEA that would be considered was a Neighborhood, Community or Regional DEA, are described below.
Neighborhood Dog Exercise Area: These facilities consist of approximately ˝- 1 acre in size. The Dog Park will provide a double gating system, a small fenced area for small dogs and a larger space for dogs to interact.
Community Dog Exercise Area: These facilities require 3-8 acres and will provide a double gating system, a small fenced area for small dogs and a larger space for dogs to interact.
Regional Dog Exercise Area: These facilities require 10 acres and above and will provide a double gating system, a large fenced area for small dogs and larger space for dogs to interact. The Granville Dog Exercise Area would be considered a regional dog exercise area
Other site amenities to be considered include some or all of the following: Gates and signage Parking area Fencing and natural barriers Collection points for dog waste Fee collection area Trash cans
Partnerships Since the start of the public information meetings and surveys the Village of Shorewood Parks Recreation Department in January passed a resolution that supports the location of a DEA in Estabrook Park. The Village will also take up the matter of becoming a partner with Milwaukee County to assist in the construction of the facility. At Granville the Parks Department will be working with PIP on the improvements to be made to the facility.
Questions / Answers
Q. Is the Granville Dog Park a part of Milwaukee County and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture? A. Yes, the Granville Dog Park is Milwaukee County property leased to Partners in Parks to operate and maintain the Park. The park is owned by the Milwaukee County Parks System, and parks staff do provide services.
Q. What new dog parks are being planned for 2009? A. Dog exercise areas are being developed at Estabrook Park and Currie Park.
Q. Will PIP be included in the Granville Dog Park. A. Yes, PIP is aware of the plans for the Parks Department to make improvements and help operate and maintain the site. Parks staff met with PIP board to obtain their input on possible amenities at Granville and to update them on the department’s initiative to create new dog parks. It was clear that one of the most important assets at Granville was access to the Menomonee River. The issue of whether to fence in the park was also reviewed. At a subsequent meeting, Parks presented plans to provide perimeter fencing for the park, and to provide two gates adjacent to the river so patrons and their dogs can access the river.
Q. Why does Granville need to be fenced in? A. One of the basic objectives of dog parks throughout the country is that they provide a safe and secure environment. Dog owners want to be sure that when their dog is running free, they are in an area where they are safe from vehicles or other inherent dangers. Granville is surrounded on two sides by heavily traveled roadways. The perimeter fencing and entry gates will ensure the safety of the dogs.
The fencing will be a 4’ high woven wire fence that will be installed to enclose the north and west sides of the side. PIP installed a similar fence several years on the freeway side.
Q. Will the Granville Dog Exercise Area require a permit to use the Park? A. Yes, A daily or annual Dog permit will allow you to use any dog park within Milwaukee County. The annual permit fee is $20.00 for the first dog, and $5 per dog thereafter. A daily pass is $5.
Q. Will dog exercise users and the pets be allowed access to the Menomonee River? A. Absolutely! Two dog person gates and a maintenance gate will be provided to allow users and the dogs to get access to the river as they do now.
Q. What are the hours? A. Standard park hours are dawn to 10:00 PM. However, the park will not be locked.
Q. What other improvements will be planned for the site? A. The Parks Department will be installing a small open-air shelter, a fee tube and informational signage.
Q. Will Granville be closed at all while the improvements are being made? A. No, the park will remain open.
Q. Will any trees be cut down to make room for the fence? A. The Parks Department will minimize the removal of any trees or shrubs to install the fence.
Q. Who will plow the snow from the parking lot and clear the gate entry in winter? A. The Parks Department will be responsible for the maintenance and operations of the Granville site.
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