Preliminary Dog Park Plans Approved in Whitpain

The Whitpain Township Park and Open Space Board presented the feasibility study for a possible dog park in the township during Tuesday night's Board of Supervisors meeting.

Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Joe Palmer, said the project was brought up by residents during the Cook Tract discussions, and many modifications have been made to the plans since to initial proposal.

Susan Mudambi, the chairwoman of the Parks and Open Space Board said the board created a subgroup in 2012 to look into the feasibility of a dog park.

Kurt Baker, Parks and Recreation Supervisor, gave the full presentation to the board and to the approximately 50 residents in attendance. Baker said the subgroup spent between a year and a year-and-a-half working on the feasibility study and the report, which determined that the residents of Whitpain want a dog park, and the park could be tax neutral.

Baker explained that through petitions circulated through the community and an online survey, the committee received 900 responses. Less than 60 people emailed or called the township to express their concerns.

The committee looked at ideal locations within the township, and narrowed it down to Centre Square Park, formerly the Cook Tract. As part of the development, there was one sports field, closest to Saint Helena's and Route 202, that was going to be built, but only graded and seeded. Baker said the committee identified this as the ideal location for a dog park.

He said that the walking and nature trails that are already being built at the park for walking dogs on leashes, as well as a parking area already being built, was  an ideal location. Saint Helena's is the closest neighbor, with the Jolly Road and Yost Road neighborhoods being the nearest communities.

Baker said in his presentation that as a part of the feasibility study, the committee looked at neighboring dog parks for best practices. Baker said a small dog and large dog area, a transition area, a water supply, a round fence, and registration were among the top "best practices."

The annual membership and registration would require the dog to have a current license and have all vaccinations. Members would get guest passes and sign a code of conduct. Members would have a swipe card to access the park.

Annual memberships were proposed to come in at $35 for residents, and $50 for non-residents, per dog – however – Baker said membership fees and the fee schedule is still being discussed.

Baker said residents feel safer and dog parks are a social place for dog owners. He added that there are few off-leash parks in the township for dog owners.

The Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors voted to take the next step with the feasibility study and spend $5,000 from the Parks and Open Space budget for a professional design plan for the park. Frederick Connor descented.

The full presentation will be made available on the Whitpain Township website. 

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