Dawn of dog park deal?
By Jennifer Mitchell
Rocky River
Published Sept. 27, 2006

The years-long tale of two cities and a dog park may soon be coming to a close. Rocky River Mayor Pamela Bobst and Law Director Andrew Bemer are slated to meet with their Lakewood counterparts, Mayor Thomas George and Assistant Law Director Tom Corrigan today.

Their discussion is expected to center on possible solutions to a noise nuisance from Lakewood Dog Park. Three years old, the off-leash canine court is next to Lakewood’s Wastewater Treatment Plant in the Rocky River Metroparks valley. What no one realized when the park was proposed, or built, was the effect it would have on neighbors.

Prior to the creation of the pup playground, High Parkway, Edgewood and Valley View were prime spots in Rocky River, some of the homes with great views. Because the streets are on a peninsula that juts out into the valley, the once-relaxing residential area has become a noisy neighborhood, frustrated residents are complaining. In spring and fall, when the trees have little to no leaves, the sounds of pups at play are directed straight into their yards.

Ward 3 Councilman Frank Gollinger represents those residents and has been relentless in seeking a solution. City Council even went so far in 2004 as to ask Lakewood to enforce its own animal ordinances. Lakewood law prohibits animal annoyances, such as barking and yelping, as does Rocky River ordinance.

However, it’s two years later and there is no mention on Lakewood’s Web site of visitors needing to control their dog’s barking or any apparent effort by officials to prevent excessive noise.

Bobst said at the Sept. 18 City Council meeting that she is hoping such issues, and potential solutions will be discussed between the two cities. Suggestions include posting signs, sound buffering and possibly changing the dog park’s hours of operation.

Rocky River Councilman at-large Brian Hurtuk even suggested asking Lakewood to close the park.

“Instead of just tiptoeing around it, it just needs to be closed,” Hurtuk said.

The councilman proposed a purchase of the land from Lakewood. Rocky River could then sell it to the Metroparks, he said, adding that Metropark officials have said they have no interest being in the dog park business.

Gollinger’s only request is that once a potential  noise-reduction solution is agreed  upon, whatever it may be, officials thoroughly investigate its effectiveness before spending money on something that won’t work.

To read the rules, regulations and hours of operation for Lakewood’s dog park, visit the city’s Web site at www.ci.lakewood.oh.us and view the Parks and Public Property link under City Departments.