Town to get "First Class" Off-leash Dog Park

The Town is moving forward with plans to build what Parks & Recreation Director Larry Bailey calls "a first-class" off-leash dog park in East Clayton.

The park, to be called East Clayton Community Dog Park, will have many of the best features of dog parks in other areas, including separate areas for large and small dogs, a picnic area for dog owners, a 15-space parking lot and space for special events.

"We think this will be a fine amenity for our town," Bailey told the Clayton Town Council Monday evening in a report outlining details of the new park. "You've made a lot of people happy who don't have kids playing in our parks, but will now have their pets playing in one."

The Council was enthusiastic in its support of the new park and its relatively small $42,000 price tag. Mayor Jody McLeod said it will go a long way toward improving the quality of life for dog owners, who presently have to travel to Raleigh or other area towns to find a place where their dogs can run free.

"It's another big star for Clayton," he said.

Councilman Alex Harding praised the work of Bailey as well as the citizen committee that helped put together plans for the park.

"Great job," he told the group. "I think this will be one of the classiest dog parks in the country."

The park will be located on a three-acre tract of land across the street from the new East Clayton Community Park. The heavily wooded tract will give Clayton's dog park "a unique character," Bailey said.

The construction will be financed with funds from the recent bond issue for parks approved by voters in 2008, if possible, or with other park funds.

Bailey said he hopes to find sponsors to help with the cost.

Off-leash parks in areas around here have attracted droves of pet owners who welcome a place for their dogs to run free. Bailey said the parks often become a gathering place for friends to chat while their dogs play together.