<< Previous   of   Next >> Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Lucy, a 3-year-old Lab and Border Collie mix from Edmonds, chases down her ball following the opening ceremony of the Shoreview Off Leash Dog Area, Saturday, April 25, 2009 at Shoreview Park in Shoreline. Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Dogs and their owners, including Sandra Distefano (faced toward camera, red jacket), of Shoreline, and her dog, Lucy, (foreground, right), walk the length of Shoreview Off Leash Dog Area, Shoreline's first official dog park, following a grand opening ceremony, Saturday, April 25, 2009 on the edge of Shoreview Park in Shoreline. Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Shoreline city councilmember Doris McConnell (left) pets Georgia, a 2- to 3-year-old terrier mix as Georgia gets distracted by dogs below her following the opening ceremony of the Shoreview Off Leash Dog Area, Saturday, April 25, 2009 at Shoreview Park in Shoreline. Looking on is Georgia's owner, Randy Belair, of Shoreline. Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Lucy (center), a 9-year-old Catahoula Leopard Dog, walks contently with her flying disc following the opening ceremony of the Shoreview Off Leash Dog Area, Saturday, April 25, 2009 at Shoreview Park in Shoreline. Behind Lucy is her owner, Sandra Distefano (center, background), of Shoreline. Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Kosta, a 6-year-old Yorkshire Terrier peeks out of her pouch as she rides with her owner following an opening ceremony for the first official dog park in Shoreline, Saturday, April 25, at Shoreview Off Leash Dog Area. Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Rob Grady, of Shoreline, watches a ball he threw for his dog, Phoebe (bottom), a Redbone Coonhound, following the opening ceremony of the Shoreview Off Leash Dog Area, Saturday, April 25, 2009 at Shoreview Park in Shoreline. Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Dogs swarm the spot surrounding Rob Grady, of Shoreline, as he walks his own dog, Phoebe, a Redbone Coonhound (brown dog on left), following the opening ceremony of the Shoreview Off Leash Dog Area, Saturday, April 25, 2009 at Shoreview Park in Shoreline.

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CONTACT THE ENTERPRISE Jocelyn Robinson, News editor jrobinson@heraldnet.com

Shoreline opens first off-leash dog park

By Amy Daybert
Enterprise editor

Shoreline's latest park went to the dogs and their owners April 25 at the official dedication of the city's first off-leash dog park.

The 2.5 acres, at 320 Innis Arden Way, are located in the southeast corner of Shoreview park. The site is one of two pilot sites recommended by the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS) Board and the Off-Leash Dog Area Study Group. A seasonal-use park at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park is scheduled to open this November through early spring.

"According to estimates by King County Animal Control, Shoreline residents collectively own over 12,000 dogs," Mayor Cindy Ryu said. "Starting today, those dogs will have a place to play off leash and their owners to socialize."

The area is a new type of recreation facility that takes into consideration the fact that dog users are park users as well, said Bill Clements, chair of the Parks Board.

"It took awhile; too long for some people but it's a start and our goal is to really create a system of dog parks through the city," Clements said to the crowd of approximately 50 residents and more than 40 dogs. "Our success here will really guide the future off-leash sites."

Part of King County Animal Control officer Kris Meyer's job will be to educate people and enforce the rules of the park. Owners need to keep their animals on a leash prior to entering the off-leash area, he said. The three dog limit will be strictly enforced and he'll check that dogs are licensed.

"This is a place for people to come and have fun," he said. "But just like any place, there's responsibility that goes along with having that fun."

The area will be a pilot site for one year. A non-profit organization, ShoreDog, will help monitor the site and work with city staff to hold monthly maintenance parties. Group members will keep their eyes open for people who miss picking up after their dogs and for any potentially hazardous holes on the site, according to ShoreDog president Erika Seather.

"If we take good care of it and we try to educate people about being good dog owners and being responsible, then we'll get through the pilot period," she said. "I've seen dog parks with a nice culture and others where everyone is on their own. I want this to be a real community place where everyone can feel comfortable being here."

It didn't take too long for Stone, a 3-year-old English sheep dog to feel at home in the park, his owner Mina Williams said.

"There's no so much puddle potential here and for fluffy dogs that's huge," she said. "It's been a long time coming and it's so appreciated. It really belongs in this city. So many people from Shoreline had to travel into Seattle and Redmond and now Mountlake Terrace. Now we can just stay at home."