It’s hard to believe that next month marks five years since thousands of residents all across Tucker went to the polls to vote on their first Mayor and City Council. From the time we began campaigning right up to present day, we have heard plenty from our constituents; some compliments, some complaints, all of it taken into consideration as we look at ways to improve our city. But I can tell you that one of the most common questions we’ve gotten over the past five years has been: “When are we getting a dog park?”
Up to this point, the answer has been: “We’re on it. We’re completing a Parks Master Plan which will tell us exactly how many dog parks we need in the City, where they should be located, how big they should be and what kind of amenities they should offer. We want to do this right, and that will take time.”
Well, the answer has changed. I’m proud to say we did this process right and, even though it took time, we have opened a brand-new dog park at Henderson Park! The fenced-in, wooded run is located on the Livsey side of the park not too far from where the playgrounds are.
A couple of notes before you make your first field trip to our great new space: First, we are still in the midst of a pandemic. If you and your four-legged friend decide to use the dog park, please maintain your distance (at least six feet) from other pet owners. Wearing a mask wouldn’t hurt either, even though it’s outdoors. Secondly, this dog park is a work in progress. As I write this, the park is open, but we are still in the process of installing tables, trash cans, waste stations and water fountains. Be patient with us as we complete making this the best dog park around.
Now, why does this mean so much? Well, the dog park itself is important for the same reason that a human park is important: it gives us a place to see friends and get to know our neighbors. It’s the same as having a great coffee shop, favorite pub or restaurant, or a 60-year-old landmark cafeteria on your Main Street; this is where people go enjoy some down time, hang out together, and to get to know each other. But beyond that, it’s an indication that we’re progressing from the (long and arduous) planning stages for our new city, and are well into executing and implementing, and that includes not only a dog park, but sidewalks, trails, resurfaced roads, new developments, new businesses, clean-up of some of our rougher areas, and much, much more.
Especially in light of the pandemic, it is easier than ever to just live in your own insulated bubble. It’s easy for your smartphone to be your main source of interaction. So, I’ll challenge you; get outside and try out this new dog park, whether you have a dog to take with you or not. You know it’ll be good for man’s best friend. It might even lift your own spirits in the process.
