Contract Awarded for Chattapoochie Dog Park

It may be cold, and dogs may have to wear their sweaters, but they will have a park of their own in which to exercise and play New Year's Day in Duluth.

The Duluth City Council Monday (Sept. 12) awarded the contract for construction of Chattapoochie Dog Park at Rogers Bridge Park near the Chattahoochee River to Georgia Development Partners. The park will cost $510,193 to build based on the bid submitted by GDP.

“I think it’s going to be a Happy New Year for dogs in Duluth,” said Councilman Doug Mundrick.

Groundbreaking for the dog park scheduled for Sept. 13 at Rogers Bridge Park has been postponed until 6 p.m. Sept. 29 to allow more city officials to attend.

“Construction will start immediately, and the project is scheduled for completion Jan. 1, 2012,” Duluth Parks and Recreation Department Director Kathy Marelle said.

The cost of designing the park, already completed in a separate $26,800 contract by Tunnell-Spangler-Walsh & Associates, and building it are being covered by SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) funds. 

The three-acre dog park will consist of one acre for small dogs weighing less than 20 pounds and two acres to accommodate large dogs weighing more than 20 pounds. It was named in a contest sponsored by the Duluth Parks and Recreation Department.

The dog park is included in a revised master plan for Rogers Bridge Park that was adopted by the city council in 2010 after an additional 10 acres was added to the now 23-acre park. The dog park, which will be the city’s first, has been much requested by citizens.

The map accompanying this article depicts the layout of the dog park as well as amenities including a nature trail, an interactive dog fountain, and dog agility equipment.

• The city council also approved proceeding with construction of the Irvindale (Road) Roundabout now that remaining right-of-way agreements have been acquired. Georgia Development Partners was selected by the council in June to do improvements to McClure Bridge Road at a cost of $1.4 million and to construct the Irvindale Roundabout at a cost of $691,000. A notice to proceed had been issued for the McClure Bridge Road project, but the Irvindale Roundabout had been held up until right-of-way acquisitions were complete.
• The council awarded a contract for engineering and design services not to exceed $60,000 for improvements to Donaville, Jones and Dogwood streets in the Hill Community to Keck & Wood. Design and construction costs will be paid for with Community Development Block Grant and SPLOST funds.
• A budget amendment was approved to cover the FICA tax for a 1 percent salary increase for city employees approved by the council in July.