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Hernando Today

Dog Park Set To Open In January

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: December 10, 2008

SPRING HILL - Richard and Sharon Fox enjoy taking their two dogs for walks and Tuesday morning was no exception.

The Foxes, who just moved to Spring Hill, had Bebo the dachshund and Emma, a mixed-breed, on leashes and the foursome were leisurely strolling down Landover Boulevard for their daily constitutional.

The sidewalk along the west side of Landover is wide enough to walk comfortably, if you don't mind the constant noise from cars and trucks passing by on the busy two-lane road.

Their walk took them directly opposite Rotary Centennial Park, where county and community officials are working to open a dog park, with enclosures to let the animals run free.
Sharon Fox said she plans to use the dog park when it opens but Bebo and Emma will stay firmly leashed.
Richard Fox said it might make for a nice place to walk.

"They can visit and sniff," he joked.
Bebo and Emma won't have long to wait.

Thanks to a funding arrangement with the Spring Hill Central Rotary Club, the opening has been moved up to mid-January 2009.

County Parks and Recreation Director Pat Fagan said staffers went to county commissioners and got approval for additional funding through impact fees in the amount of $25,000 to be loaned to the Spring Hill Central Rotary Club to complete phase one of the project, which is the dog park.

In return, the Rotary Club will pay back all money used, Fagan said.

Through various fundraising projects, the Rotary Club has already raised $13,000 so it is doubtful it will need the full $25,000 available to them, Fagan said.

The county partnered with the Spring Hill Central Rotary Club in February 2004 to develop the park, bounded by Sandlor Street, Portillo Road and Landover Boulevard.

Because of the downturn in the economy, the Rotary Club was having a hard time raising funds to complete the project.

The dog park will have three separate enclosures: one for large dogs, one for small- to medium-sized dogs and one for service dogs so people can stay with their animals.

The dogs will be allowed to run freely in the enclosures.

If people are more comfortable keeping their animals leashed, there is a dog walk area, he said.

When the park first opens, it will be supervised to make sure people are keeping their dogs under control and cleaning up their pet's messes, he said.

Any dog that proves to be a problem will be banned from the park, Fagan said.

"We will monitor this from the beginning and make sure everyone is responsible for their dogs," he said.

Meanwhile, Fagan said the county is working with the project's contractor to complete the rest room facility, sidewalks and the striping of the parking lot.

There are picnic tables with covered shelters throughout the 8-acre park for people who just want to relax.

Because of the rough economy, the second phase of the project - to include basketball and volleyball courts and other playground amenities - is on hold, Fagan said.

Some residents said a dog park is nice but they are more interested in amenities for humans.

Tina DiVenuti, who lives directly across from the park on Landover, said a playground area would be ideal for her son.

"I don't have a car so to have my son get to a park he can play on would be nice," she said.

She also hopes that people follow the rules and pick up their dog messes.

Walking down Landover, she has to keep a wary eye out in the grass beside the sidewalk for dog doo-doo.

And DiVenuti hopes people don't vandalize the new facility.

"It would be a shame to have it ruined so quickly," she said.

Melissa Stewart, who lives off a side street of Landover, said it would be nice to have a park close by for her four children to play and exercise.

She questions the need for a dog park and says she has too many kids to bother with pets.

"Why a dog park" she asked. "Shouldn't the kids come first? They are our future."

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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