Parks & Recreation

7 mins read time

Let’s Discuss The Maiden Dog Park.

Mark from Local Maiden Info sat down with Parks and Recreation Director, Keaton Miller, for an exclusive interview regarding the upcoming Maiden dog park. This project was discussed, and voted on, by Maiden Town Council last year, where the initial proposal, rules and other particulars were presented.

While much of the ‘behind-the-scenes’ red tape is still being discussed, the go-ahead was given to re-purpose the old Water Plant property. The location being semi-rural, and the topography being unsuited to other projects, the location is perfectly suited to a dog park project.

Construction is already underway, and according to Smith Mine on their Facebook page, phase one was completed as of July 17th. We here at localmaiden.info would like to thank Smith Mine for generously providing the following photo for use in this article.

As you can see, the concrete sidewalks and the pad for the restrooms are almost complete.

Mark inquired about the proposed restrooms, and was informed by Mr Miller that off-site construction has been completed, and Parks and Recreation are awaiting the authorization of relevant permits so installation can proceed.

During our interview with Mr Miller, Mark shared concerns from some local residents over the lack of public restrooms at other Maiden parks. Mr Miller confirmed that restrooms for Union Street and Rosenwald Parks are also in the works. We will provide updates on these projects and release future news articles on progress on developments in future articles.

With a focus on keeping the budget for this project manageable, Parks and Recreation aims to provide Maiden residents with the fixtures and amenities one would expect to find in any municipal dog park, such as:

– Two fenced free-run areas with plush grass, one for small breeds and one for large breed dogs.

– A gated vestibule allowing dog owners to safely transition their pooch from outside the park into one of the two ‘free-run’ areas. This vestibule provides a safe area for dog owners to remove their pet’s leash and hang it on any of the provided hooks.

– Convenient waste stations complete with poop-bags, making cleaning-up after your dog a breeze!

– Key fob entry for security, ensuring only vetted applicants and their vetted pets can use the facilities.

– Security cameras will be situated throughout the dog park facility. Regular visits by staff can be expected.

Below is a topographical map showing the proposed layout of the Dog Park. It is mostly accurate, with some minor changes being pointed out to us by Mr Miller, notably concerning the perimeter fence of the small dog lot, which will be slightly pulled back . These changes will not considerably affect the overall footage but are necessary due to solid rock formations being uncovered during the grading process.

Many of the finer administrative points of the dog park are still under negotiation with the Town of Maiden, please find some examples below. Bear in-mind that these issues are still subject to change.

Residents will be required to fill-out an application form, complete with their dog’s information and documentation from their veterinarian proving recent vaccination status.

A set of dog park rules is still being decided upon, to ensure the Maiden Dog Park maintains a level of safety and comfort for both human and canine users. We will share updates we receive from the Town and Parks and Recreation in the future.

The fee schedule is also under consideration. The dog park may be available for Maiden residents at low or zero cost, with a small fee being charged for each additional dog. Allowing non-residents to be admitted in the application process is still being negotiated.

During our interview, Mark found Keaton to be very knowledgeable in the topic of dog parks, and he has visited neighboring communities, observing their dog parks and taking note of design and safety considerations, as well as many other factors. He has spent a great deal of time conducting valuable research to ensure Maiden will have the best and safest dog park facility to offer it’s residents.

With regards to dog park fees, we conducted our own research of North Carolina dog parks, and discovered there is a wide range of fee structures throughout the State

If you are looking forward to the Dog Park opening in Maiden, you are in luck! Construction is ongoing, and expected to be completed by Spring 2025, if not sooner. As always, regarding construction projects there are many variables in play, not least scheduling and other outside influences.

If you have questions about the Dog Park, or struggle with understanding why Maiden would benefit from such an amenity, feel free to read on. We welcome your comments and opinions, so please feel free to comment on this article!

The Benefits of a Community Dog Park

Promotes Resident and Pet Health at a Low Cost to Dog Owners

Creating a dog park for our community can help provide opportunity for physical activity and fresh air for our residents and their favorite furry companions. Doggie daycare and personal walkers can be expensive. Having a safe, clean area for people to exercise with their pets can significantly affect dog quality of life and human socialization. Also, for local residents who reside in an apartment, town home or have limited yard space, having a dog park provides their pets a great, safe space to run around and exercise.

Improved Sense of Community

Getting outside and interacting with the community can be a real challenge these days, especially with the lure of social media keeping folks glued to their screens. A dog park is a surefire way to bring folks together to share in their love of dogs, while allowing their pups to play together and burn off energy!

At the dog park, you’ll find folks from all walks of life, young and old, families and singles, all united by their love of their four-legged companions. It’s also the perfect setting for new residents to get the scoop on local vets, dog bakeries, trainers and other pet-related resources. Everyone will have a safe space to share their favorite canine tips and tricks with other dog owners.

It’s not just practical information that gets shared at the dog park, pet owners will also be able to swap stories about their furry friends, plan doggy play dates, and form genuine connections and friendships. There’s something about watching your pup frolic with others that brings people together in a positive, organic way.

The Repurposing of Otherwise Unused Land

A dog park is a great utilization for otherwise abandoned land, transforming it into a ‘pup oasis’ benefiting the whole community. By re-purposing this land for a dog park, municipalities can improve the safety, health and well-being of local residents.

A dog park reduces troublesome behavior from canines.

Without physical and mental stimulation, dogs can develop nuisance behavior like excessive barking, constant rough play, restlessness, anxiety, leash pulling, and destructive habits (eating shoes, pulling the couch apart, or knocking food off counters and the table). Having a nearby dog park can help your dog to stay fit and stress-free.

Conclusion

Dog parks are taking off in the United States! They are becoming a ‘go-to’ spot for pets and their owners, enabling them to soak up some sunshine, get moving, and enjoy supervised, safe playtime. Not only that, dog parks are a valuable tool for municipalities to spruce up their neighborhoods. Whether you’re crazy about cats or a die-hard dog lover, it’s clear that local governments are committed to creating special spaces for our furry friends.

Dog parks play a pivotal role in enhancing our community. They have the potential to significantly improve residents quality of life in numerous ways. Dog parks also help keep our resident’s dogs active and healthy.

It’s undeniable that the presence of a dog park brings about a positive influence.

And who knows…. If we’re lucky, we might get one of these!

This is an ongoing story. We will provide future updates so be sure to follow us!