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City
Bark expected to bring joyful noise
March 13,
2008
A reader from the French Quarter recently wrote about the importance
of having an official dog park in New Orleans. "We both know there
are several unofficial dog parks, some safely fenced in, some not,"
Peter said. "The city of Burlington, Vt., a quarter the size of
pre-Katrina New Orleans, maintains three well-used dog parks."
Peter is right in pointing out that New Orleans is long overdue for
an official dog park. He will be happy to learn that one is very
near reality, thanks to a group of dedicated dog lovers who
understand that dog parks benefit two-legged friends as much as
their four-legged companions.
NOLA City Bark, as the name suggests, will be located in City Park
on 4.6 acres behind Popp Fountain. With a groundbreaking scheduled
this spring, and plans to open by year's end, a nonprofit has been
formed to raise money to build and operate the park.
As Jackie Shreves, president of NOLA City Bark points out, the dog
park will aid in the continual rebuilding of City Park and enhance
the community as a whole. "We're focusing on the people aspect of
dog parks because it's really a quality-of-life issue," Shreves
said. "Every great city has a dog park, and we're a great city."
If you have any doubt that the relationship with people and their
dogs is integral in a community, take a stroll through any
neighborhood and you're going to see people coming together to
connect with other dog lovers. Whether it's at a coffee shop, a
wine-tasting event or a dog-walking group such as the Fabulous NOLA
Walking Pack, dog lovers create a true sense of community. And from
that community springs a multitude of benefits that come from making
new friends, developing a social network and experiencing life
outside with canine companions.
The American Pet Products Manufacturer Association estimates that
this year Americans will spend $43.4 billion on their pets. It's not
a stretch to imagine that for a dog lover considering relocating to
New Orleans, the presence of a dog park can make a move here all the
more attractive, especially if they are leaving a community that has
a thriving dog park.
Along with contributing to the well-being and health of a
well-exercised dog-loving community, dog parks enhance the physical
and mental well-being of our four-legged friends. Every dog lover
knows that look of a smiling dog after some fun and exercise. It's a
look that says "Yep! Life is beautiful."
For information about NOLA City Bark or to make a donation, visit
www.nolacitybark.org or
e-mail
info@nolacitybark.org.
- Gloria
Dauphin
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