Dogs need to run. Anyone who’s owned one can attest to that, and to the happiness it can bring to watch them bounding around untethered and joyful. In the city, it’s difficult to find a safe place for a dog to run around, and in many places, it’s not even allowed due to leash laws and other restrictions. That’s why dog parks are so important, and we’re glad to hear that Saco will soon be getting its own.
The new, fenced-off area will be located in Pepperell Park, near Fairfield School, and is expected to open sometime this summer. This is a great downtown location that gives easy access and allows people to park at the school lot during what will be the park’s busiest hours: evenings and weekends.
Concerns were raised by the city’s historic preservation group about having the dog area in Pepperell Park, but a nice compromise has been reached to use black fencing and flower boxes to give it a classier design and make for a better fit.
The City of Saco won’t be funding the park, but private donations have been gathered to fund its construction. Donations in Saco have already been forthcoming enough to install the fencing and a bench, plus a structure for people to gather under, which will block out the elements.
Neighboring Biddeford took the same approach with its dog park, installed in 2010, though its effort took far longer than the one in Saco, having started in 2002. Saco received a seed money donation for its park just two years ago.
There is clearly a demand for this amenity, and it’s no surprise: Pets are a big part of life for many people, as evidenced by the booming pet products industry: Americans spent an all-time high of $55.7 billion on their pets in 2013 and are expected to spend nearly $60 billion this year, according to American Pet Products Association. Clearly, it’s a good move for Saco to become a more dog-friendly city, for both the social and business aspects.
Biddeford’s park, located within Rotary Park off Main Street, was based off the dog park in Kennebunk, which was organized at the transfer station site by the Animal Welfare Society several years ago. Nearby, Old Orchard Beach also has a small dog park where pets can find off-leash relief.
These parks are well-used and provide locals and visitors alike with a nice open space for their dog to run, fetch, wrestle with other dogs and enjoy the outdoors in a safe, fenced-in environment. The parks are great places for socializing dogs, helping them to learn friendly behavior around not only their own kind but also people. And it’s not just the dogs who find the park a great social environment; owners enjoy meeting other like-minded people to swap stories about life with a dog and share advice on everything from toys to training.
Dog parks are truly a great community asset, and just one more thing that Saco will be able to cite among its many attributes. The city already made a dog-friendly decision in the fall of 2012 when the council voted not to institute a leash law for its beachfront. Instead, they required dogs to be leashed between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. in July and August ”“ a compromise that has kept the beaches open to both dog lovers and tourists who seek to use it undisturbed during peak hours.
With piping plover protection becoming more of an issue, dogs are not as welcome on the beaches as they were previously, and this park will further solidify Saco’s reputation as a dog-friendly city.
Those who own high-energy breeds know that walking around the block on a leash is simply not enough to get their dog tired out to the point where it is not a nuisance, either barking all day and disturbing the neighbors or ruining clothes and furniture inside the house. The dog park is the best answer for these dogs, as they can have a chance to tucker themselves out without disturbing others with bad behavior ”“ or running loose in areas where they might not be expected.
We’re glad to see Saco setting up a dog park and hope the enthusiasm that has led to its creation will continue in the form of maintenance and respectful use.
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Today’s editorial was written by Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen by calling 282-1535, ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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