Group Gathers to Plan Dog Park Proposal

During an intimate gathering at , five Grosse Pointe Park residents discussed the best plan of attack to re-introduce the idea of a dog park to the city council. 

The group, spearheaded by Brian and Danielle Haberstroh, are dog owners who felt the city council didn't give the idea a chance last month when they voted against it. The issue was not fully considered as officials heard mainly from naysayers, Brian Haberstroh said. 

Haberstroh began a Facebook fan page called Grosse Park Residents for a Dog Park, gaining 83 friends since starting it just a few weeks ago. Among the ideas, residents want to gather information about the expenses to build such an amenity and they want to include information about why it would be an asset to the commuity. 

They plan to begin gathering signatures from fellow residents and dog owners and developing a comprehensive plan to  introduce to city council. Haberstroh plans to attend next week's meeting but an April meeting is more of a realistic goal to have the information gathered and prepared to present to council, he said. 

The group believes having a dog park will limit the number of owners who allow their dogs to run freely on school property as an alternative and it could be a revenue generating amenity, they said.

In addition to requiring a special permit dog owners would have to pay for to enter the park, it might also encourage more owners to register their dogs, Haberstroh said. He thinks there are hundreds more residing within the Park than are actually registered and others agreed. 

As for the mess, Haberstroh said, Park officials need only look to the school yard wastebaskets where many baggies of doggie waste can be found. The owners clean up after their dogs already and would be encouraged to continue doing so at a park specially designed for dogs, he said.

The group held its first meeting at the Old Pointe Bar, which is a dog friendly neighborhood bar. Owner Kristine Armaly said she heard about the group and wanted to help support them. She also hopes to put in a good word for the group with the city and believes as a business owner she has a stake in the outcome.