Citizen-Times on North Asheville Dog Park 9/9/13

Here's a link to the full article:
http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20130909/NEWS/309090014/North-Asheville-dog-park-council-agenda

Some excerpts:

"The city has considered an arrangement whereby a pro-park group would raise funds to build the park then the city would maintain it, said Assistant City Manager Cathy Ball."
At the May 14 City Council meeting, the one where $5,000 was approved for dog park planning,  Mr. Pelly said construction and future maintenance costs would be borne by a private group, not the City.  Does Council still have the same degree of support under these changed conditions?

"Dogs outnumber children in some neighborhoods around the proposed park site, said park supporter Bob Roepnack."
This assertion seems to suggest both the desire and need for a dog park in the community.  It is true there are a lot of dogs here.  It is so true, in fact, that most of the opponents of the Beaverdam location are also dog owners.

"A group of neighborhood residents has organized to push for a dog park on property near Beaverdam Road and east of its intersection with Wild Cherry Road."
Actually, the lot, which now includes the house at 284 Beaverdam, is west of Wild Cherry Road.

"Opponents like John  say dog urine and feces could result in runoff that would degrade Beaverdam Creek and that the park would be too close to homes."
Yes, I did say that, but it isn't simply my uninformed opinion.  In fact, I was skeptical at first.  Dr. Ed Hauser's Preliminary Environmental Assessment convinced me of the need, at the least, for a more detailed environmental review.

"Roepnack said he does not know specifically what the impacts would be on the creek, but 'throughout the country there are a number of dog parks located in lowland areas next to creeks and rivers.'"
True.  That's often the only land left after development.  Asheville's French Broad River Dog Park is in the flood plain next to the river,  However, the dog park pollution is tiny relative to the enormous volume of water flow in the already polluted river.  Beaverdam Creek is a state designated high quality stream by NC Division of Environment and Natural Resources.  This stream flows into the Elisha Mitchell Audubon Society Bird Sanctuary and Beaver Lake.  The introduction of nutrients and pathogens  in to the small creek could impact sensitive areas downstream.