Clayton Plans First Dog Park in the City

January 9, 2012

The City of Clayton is exploring the opportunity to create its first ever dog park for residents on land recently acquired as part of a flood plain remediation plan, according to Mayor Linda Goldstein.

The park, on property just under two acres in the former Haddington Court subdivision off Clayton road west of Brentwood Blvd., would accommodate dog owners and their canine companions who have urged the city to create such an amenity for several years.

“A significant number of Clayton residents have been focused on creating a dog park in the city, and we have been looking for an appropriate location that does not infringe on existing park land,” Goldstein said. “When Haddington Court became available for other reasons, it made the property a logical choice for the dog park.”

The Haddington Court subdivision was bought out through a federal grant and city participation to assist homeowners to relocate because of serious, periodic flooding. That buyout was completed in late 2011. The City now owns the land.

Choosing the Haddington Court site would alleviate the need to develop green space in Shaw Park which is already heavily utilized, Goldstein said.

Clayton City Manager Craig Owens noted the proposed dog park has yet to clear several important hurdles. Those include permission from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other government agencies involved, along with further analysis by Clayton’s Parks and Recreation Commission and the Board of Aldermen.

According to Clayton Parks and Recreation Director Patty DeForrest, the Clayton dog park would operate much like other municipal parks in the region. Dog owners who want to use the park would buy memberships that would offset the cost of maintaining the facility. The owners would be required to adhere to usage guidelines, including proof that their pets have all required veterinary shots.

DeForrest said the dog park would be for Clayton residents only at first until the City can determine the amount and frequency of usage.

City officials hope to have the dog park ready by mid-2012.