New dog park proposed for Broad and Jackson
Chatter around South Philly High’s master greening plan is typically focused on the green roof, but did you know that a dog park is also on the agenda?
Now you do! At the corner of Broad and Jackson streets, the plan is to fence in the grassy area and make it an official dog park. This part of the master plan doesn’t depend on another phase being completed first — it’s its own mini phase. What does need to happen, though, is fundraising and support from dog owners.
Molly Devinney, of the Lower Moyamensing Civic Association, says that so far feedback from neighbors and community members has been positive, but all agree that the park has to be well-maintained because usage will be heavy.
South Philly High and LoMo are excited about the dog park, however they will not be responsible for upkeep.
“We hope to establish a similar situation to Columbus Square — dog-owners taking charge of maintenance and building membership or community of dog-owners,” Devinney said.
South Philly Association of Dog Owners (SPADO) is the group that oversees the Columbus Square dog park, and the plan is for a group to operate under the SPADO umbrella for the SPHS dog park.
“We are looking for interested dog owners to join SPADO and start a steering committee for the SPHS Dog Park to help mobilize community support, organize the fundraising campaign, and create a vision for maintenance, events and more.”
The goal for the project is to raise $5,000 and there is a good possibility that Projexity, the Kickstarter-like fundraising website that targets environmental projects, will be used again. If anyone is interested in getting involved, email Molly Devinney at sphsdogpark@gmail.com.
If you’re interested in helping you can also swing by the LoMo flea market on April 26 for more information (on Broad between Snyder and Jackson, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
As far as design goes, the only plan for now is what was laid out in the initial vision of the master plan. The park will be fenced in with a double-gate entry and there will be benches and trashcans. More specifics will pop up as the project progresses.
Furry friends of South Philly could have a new oasis by the fall if all goes well with community engagement.
I’m on 10th and Emily and I love the neighborhoods above and below me but Snyder / Broad could certainly use a face-lift. This sort of development is beneficial to my pooch and the beautification of EPX / LoMo, all together – definitely a proponent for this.
OMG!!! Dog parks galore!!! This is getting a little out of hand… Too much….
They should make it a big garden of rose bushes!
Just WHERE are ALL of these “dog parks galore” ProvWitout??
Will all of the green space be a dog park? Seems like enough space to have some people park too.
I AGREE!!!
I don’t think there should be a dog park proposed every time people are wondering what to do with green space or unused land. I can’t stand the dog park fetish that everyone seems so infatuated with lately. It is such a narrow idea that only includes obsessed dog lovers… They’re not a bad idea for some places. Not at all.. But it seems like all green space needs to have some kind of dog lovers component to it anymore…
Its a HIGH SCHOOL for crying out loud… Why not have a basketball court for kids to shoot hoops on after school? Or something that involves catering to the young people attending school there every day. These kids get out of school and a bunch of police officers coral them like herds of cattle. Bullying them and screaming “keep it moving, you can’t stay here, no hanging around talking, go home!!!” What is their new line going to be when the dog park is there..? “Keep it moving, you’re scaring the hipsters! Get out of sight! If you go to school here you must leave now! Only new people moved in from the burbs and their pets allowed!” ???
Dogs are great. But we should consider the recreational needs of all of the citizens… The humans, that is…
I know, make it a Beerr Garden, with a Beer Distributor down the block, it’s a “no brainer”!!
Cute
But still a stupid idea..
You can’t walk your dog in Marconi Park or down the Lakes? We need to keep designating places for dogs? So stupid! On Broad Street too? The main street? Maybe we should appoint a dog as and advisor to the mayor too… Give it its own dog office….
1. There is certainly NOT an overabundance of dog parks. There is a lack of dog parks. Dogs need plenty of exercise and there are plenty of dogs.
2. South Philly HIgh is a tough school to manage. Having visited many classrooms there, I speak from experience. There are several recreation centers, libraries, and community organizations for teens and children in the area.
Yes there is… I can think of 3 dog parks that weren’t there a little over 10 years ago. Take what ya got and be happy. Stop proposing dog parks as a component for every green space. Use all the time and effort to raise money to fix the existing play grounds, basketball courts, tennis courts, and athletic fields we have! People are more important that dogs…
I believe there is currently 1 dog park south of Washington ave from river to river. What others are you thinking of?
And they took a space that no one ever used and put a fence around it (or hope to).
What is the problem?
If you check out more about the SPHS greening master plan, you’ll see that the dog park is only one part of the plan to transform the campus into a community park/outdoor classroom. The lawn along Broad & Snyder will be a “people park” and space for students.
Glad to hear this! Thanks for the info.
We emailed that email but haven’t heard back. We’ve tried to get involved/donate to other parks including Columbus square and it proved to be too challenging. Hopefully this park will be different especially as it’s more South and near our house. It seems like it would be an easy thing to support a local dog park or recreational facility but apparently not. Hope someone reading can hit us back with info in how to get involved.
Hi DOG LOVER,
If you want to get involved with the Dog Park at Columbus Square you can email them here:
southphillydogs@gmail.com.
It just some volunteers but we’d love your support.
Dog parks are a waste of space that wont get any use once all these yuppies leave the city in 5 years…go to the lakes like all the normal dog owners I know