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Dogged pursuit of new park far from over

by Brian Walker; Staff Writer
| April 18, 2018 1:00 AM

POST FALLS — It turns out that the City of Post Falls was barking up the wrong tree — figuratively speaking — when it pursued its first dog park just west of Yoke's Fresh Market grocery store.

Bryan Myers, Post Falls parks manager, said the city recently learned that it wouldn't be able to secure an access easement to the 4-acre site owned by the Idaho Transportation Department from the adjacent property owner.

“The owners of the property did not see granting access as favorable for their operations of their store and the receiving area in particular,” Myers said of the property sandwiched between Seltice Way and Interstate 90.

Myers said a new drive access to the site was also not permitted. ITD commented on the proposal and listed the lack of parking space as a concern.

“ITD would need (concerns) addressed to forward the permit application on to the Federal Highway Administration for final approval,” said Megan Sausser, ITD spokeswoman.

However, identifying park space where dogs can roam unleashed in Post Falls remains a high priority due to popular demand, Myers said.

Currently, dogs are allowed in select parks, including Kiwanis, Falls, Corbin and the native area of Q'emiln, but they must be on a leash. Signs at the city parks state the rules for dogs on the properties.

Myers said the top three inquiries the city receives for special-use park facilities are dog parks, camping areas and splash pads.

“We know as our community continues to grow the little areas of undeveloped land where people currently enjoy walking their dogs both on- and off-leash will change shape,” Myers said. “We are looking to find a space that will allow pets and their owners to stay active and get to know their neighbors.

“We see this space as one that helps build community and one that helps keep that small-town feel.”

Myers said the city is being "intentional" about planning for the park and its location.

"We don't want to just check a box to say we have a dog park and squeeze it into some existing facility where it doesn't fit," he said. "The ITD property is the third option we have actively explored in the past several years, but they have all stalled out for one reason or another."

Myers said the ideal site would be near a high-traffic area, flat and have 2 or more fenced acres.

"We are also exploring offering existing park facilities as off-leash areas on a seasonal basis," he said.

Myers said the city is talking with representatives from cities like Boise and Meridian that offer off-leash options to see what’s working in those areas.

"If this project could help us provide better walkable access to parks and recreation facilities, that would be an added bonus," he said.

Myers said the possibility for the dog park at ITD's site came up during design discussions between the state and city to improve pedestrian facilities in the area where Seltice goes over I-90. Post Falls manages other areas in ITD rights of way, including the arboretums on both sides of the freeway and the city entrance water features along Spokane Street.