Members of the Baltimore County Council are expected to approve changes Tuesday to the county?s definition of animals at-large, paving the way for the county?s first no-leash dog park.
In response to requests from constituents, the county will open its first dog park in Reisterstown at Hannah More Park ? also the future home of a new skate park ? said Council Member Kevin Kamenetz, D-District 2.
“My office has received many calls from families that want park services that can be shared by their pets and accommodate their children?s special interests,” Kamenetz said. “This facility will provide additional recreational resources for all families.”
The park off Reisterstown Road, which already includes ball fields and a senior center, was selected because it has underutilized space, Kamenetz said. He said the park will open after volunteers are organized to supervise the park and ground rules are established.
Self-proclaimed “dog mother” Andrea Mullen said she plans to drive her Germanshepherd and golden retriever to the park from Towson.
“I think it?s a great idea,” Mullen said. “It?s not all that close, but it?s nice to know there?s a place where you can take your dogs off the leash.”
Dogs parks have been controversial in Anne Arundel County, where officials have documented four serious attacks in its four dog parks since 2001. Officials there are considering separate play areas for large and small dogs. Mullen said she supports the effort.
“You can?t just let them rip and not expect a confrontation,” she said. “Dogs have a hierarchy.”
County officials Oct. 15 will host a grand opening for the skate park, which will be similar to an existing one in Timonium, Kamenetz said . The county is home to two other skate parks, and all three feature a variety of ramps, jumps and grinding rails, enclosed within a fenced court.
The skate parks are supervised by Department of Recreation and Parks staff and have regular hours of operation that vary by season. Use of the parks is free.
