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Kingsport chooses Hunter Wright Stadium for dog park
Kingsport has chosen a site for its dog park — a 2.5-acre site behind left field at Hunter Wright Stadium. David Grace photo.
______________KINGSPORT — Hunter Wright Stadium will soon be going to the dogs.
After more than a year of discussion, research and committee meetings, the city of Kingsport has chosen a site for its new dog park — a 2.5-acre site behind left field at Hunter Wright Stadium on Stone Drive.
But what is a dog park and how did this project get started?
A dog park — or an off-leash recreation area — is a fenced area where dogs may legally run, play and socialize with other dogs.
The idea first began in April 2007 through an e-mail campaign to numerous people in the community, many from Eastman Chemical Co. and Charter Communications, all asking for support for the project. The e-mail featured a pleading basset hound named “Porkchop” and asked people to contact the BMA about the issue, specifically Alderman Pat Shull.
The BMA soon after agreed to the project and earmarked $40,000 toward it. Cost estimates put the price tag for the park at around $50,000. A Dog Park Committee was formed to investigate dog parks, including features, rules and where to put such a park within the city limits.
After looking at more than 20 sites within the city, including Cloud Park, the Kingsport Mill property, Cement Hill and some properties along the Greenbelt, the committee chose Hunter Wright Stadium.
Parks and Recreation Director Kitty Frazier said the property has been cleared, and grading should begin soon. Initially, the city wanted the park open by Fun Fest, and Frazier said “that’s still our target.”
Kingsport’s dog park will be built on a 2.5-acre site and divided into two sections — a 2-acre section for larger dogs and a half-acre section for small and old dogs. The city is not proposing an obstacle course for the park at this time.
“It’s a gentle sloped area with a flat basin at the top and flat at the bottom. It’s all wooded, a very natural park, with mostly mulch and ground cover,” Frazier said. “It’s going to be a large contained area that’s in a natural, wooded environment for people to come bring their dogs and hang out.”
The park will have a vinyl-coated 6-foot fence around the perimeter and a double-gate, key card entry system.
“The double-gate system is to contain the dogs easier when you’re coming and going, and you’ll have access to the small and larger area through the gate system,” Frazier said.
The park will include a few trash cans and benches, with plans to add more as funding becomes available. Frazier said the city would like to look at adding a small gazebo, shelter or gathering place inside the park for visitors. There will be no restroom at this time. Instead, portables will be used.
And if the dogs find it necessary to perform their business, Frazier said there will be signs posted noting owners will be responsible for cleaning up after their own dogs.
“Hopefully people will police each other,” Frazier said.
The proposed rules say children 12 and under will not be allowed in the dog park, and if you have a dog inside the park, you must be at least 16 years old.
Frazier said the committee is proposing a fee schedule and registration guidelines where dog owners have to register their dog with the city, prove the pet has had its proper shots, and receive a tag that authorizes them to use the park for a year. Registered owners will then receive a key card to swipe at the gate in order to gain entry to the dog park.
The committee and the city’s parks and recreation department looked at dog parks around the country, researched the topic online and in books, and relied on Johnson City for help and advice.
Johnson City has had a dog park for several years and is looking at building another one. Johnson City’s dog park is located at Willow Springs Park off Huffine Road and is just under 2 acres in size.
“We’ve done a ton of research from all kinds of places. (Johnson City) has been so helpful, and we’ve learned a lot. In fact, some on our committee belong to their dog park,” Frazier said.
In addition, the city conducted a survey earlier this year, asking people how far they would be willing to drive to go to a dog park, how much they would be willing to pay to join, and what features they’d like to see in a dog park.
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A dog park is a wonderful idea for local residents. Though many in the city have the convenience of a fenced in yard, many residents do not and deserve a place where their dog can be active without a leash. This judgment by the city is one of the more positive and productive actions taken in some time. As far as the rules go, I disagree that children under 12 will not be allowed. There should at least be a stipulation that they must be accompanied by an adult as in many other child circumstances. The rationale could only be insurance in which a disclaimer could be easily posted or safety which could be solved with parent supervision and lack of fear of injury. Why shouldn't children be allowed to enjoy to play with their dogs just because there is a 2% chance of being harmed by other dogs. The concept of the park is wonderful, but the age stipulation is regressive, reductionist, and illogical. But here in
the so-named 'model city' it seems logic and practicality is not part of the city government's agenda and policy decisions.
I think it's a great idea for Kpt to have a dog park. The only problem is the age restriction. I have 2 girls, 5 and 10, who will excluded from enjoying the park with our dogs. Thats a shame. It will be a wonderful place for families to enjoy time with their dogs. I only wish that our children could enjoy the same fun.
As a responsible dog owner, I think this is a wonderful idea. Of course there are going to be people who complain. You can't please everyone all of the time. I do not live near this area but wouldn't care if I did. It is not like the area will be open 24/7 with dogs barking all night. I have lived with neighbors who did have dogs that barked all night long. So what? I learned to live with it. But that won't be the case here. This is progress as a lot of larger cities have dog parks and have for years. Kingsport is just moving ahead. There are things that I don't like but it is progress and I have to live with it. For example, red light and speed cameras. I complain and go on with life. I respect that there will be people who disagree as well as understand that there will be irresponsible dog owners at the park, especially at first. I hope that there will some sort of patrol to monitor the owners. We need to make sure that violent and/or non-social dogs are not allowed as well as owners who do not clean up after their pet. One bad apple and all of that. Just the humble opinion of one citizen.
I do not think this is a good ideal.there are some people that live here do not want to hear a lot of dogs barking and making a lot of noise.what in the world are you trying to do..