Update for County's Prospective Off-Leash Dog Park

In its Facility Services Meeting Wednesday evening, the Park Authority board heard an update on the progress for an off-leash dog park in the county.

No motions or votes were made on the LRPRA site Wednesday evening, as the facility meeting serves as a work session for the board. The board plans to make a vote on the proposed site in its regular March 23 7:30 p.m. meeting.

The Lake Ridge Parks and Recreation Association parcel of land off of Minnieville Road is still under consideration as a prime location for an off-leash dog park, as the board previously

No motions or votes were made on the LRPRA site Wednesday evening, but the board plans to make a vote on the proposed site in its regular March 23 meeting.

Debbie Andrew, Director of Operations/Planning and Support Services, briefed the board on an update for the park. Andrew said that a lease agreement with LRPRA is in the works, details of which are forthcoming.

Currently, the LRPRA site would need a site plan review – something that is required for developing a dog park on this parcel of land. A site plan review is $520, but Andrew noted that a local engineer has volunteered to revise the existing plan for the parcel to include the proposed dog park.

An entrance road and paved parking is not anticipated to be an issue, said Andrew as Prince William County Transportation upgraded both assets a few years ago.

Andrew also noted that the Park Authority does not have the funds to allocate towards the construction of a dog park, but that the project would rely on volunteers to raise the funds.

The total cost for fence installation is $12,050 but the dog park support group has indicated that they are willing to raise the funds. Andrew said there are also two Eagle Scouts that have asked to consider the fence installation as a potential option for their Eagle Scout service projects. If that were to happen, there would be no labor coast associated with fencing for the dog park.

A second dog park at the former Coles Little League fields near the county landfill off of Route 234 in Manassas may also be considered in the future. 

What’s next?

• There needs to be a petition for review for the LRPRA site
• A lease agreement between Prince William County Park Authority and LRPRA must be agreed upon
• A master plan of the site needs to be approved
• A site plan needs to be conducted and approved
• Funds need to be raised, construction to be completed
• Opening