DOGS: Better parks, happy barks

I am happy to hear that plans are under way for another new dog park here in our area. The need for such parks has been long overdue. Coeur d’Alene has been voted Dog Town USA and yet, up until now, there was not any place to take a dog to run.

I am writing in appreciation for the efforts being made to make this a dog friendly town. However; I would like to voice a few concerns for this new park. My hope is that the ideas of the community will be considered in the building of this park.

The current parks are better than nothing, but leave a lot to be desired. The park on Atlas is useless in the summer as there is no shade for the person or the dog. In addition, there’s not enough seating or even a table with an umbrella. In the spring we only get half use of it as the other half is being blocked off for new growth of the grass.

The park on 15th is just plain too small and that sand is a nightmare for playing fetch. The sand ends up in their mouth and in your car. Not to mention if it rains or snows, then it’s just a huge mess all the way around.

My biggest concern and hope for the new park is that there will be better access for the handicapped. Neither of the current parks is set up very well for the disabled. I use a cane and sometimes a walker and getting through that sand is hard and dangerous. The paths that are built there only go on one strip of the park. The trails should go throughout the park so that wheelchairs and other devices for the disabled have access to the entire park. The concept of a dog park is excellent but only if it is user friendly for the dog and their companions.

As for the dogs, we need a huge park that has trails through the woods and maybe a lake or man-made pond, a place where a dog can be a dog. I realize that a park like that is a huge undertaking and will take some time and the right piece of land. In the meantime, we can make the current parks as close to that design as possible.

As for the donations, I am on a limited income and do what I can. You may want to consider donating a few plaques for the folks who don’t have a huge bank account as they are more than likely going to be the biggest share of your patrons.

PENNY F. INGLIS

Coeur d’Alene