Dog parks are popular in many communities, and now Parma may barking up the same tree.
Two Parma residents - Mary Galinas (who served on the city council) and Katie Liepold — have been keen for the city to create a dog park for the last three years. At present, the future of a park for pooches is uncertain, but has not been ruled out.
Liepold has gathered more than 1,000 signatures from Parma and Parma Heights residents in support of the park, since neither city has one. Liepold notes that she has three large dogs, from 40 to 80 pounds, and has no place to truly let them run and play. To give them an opportunity to have the space they need, she has to drive to the Lakewood Dog Park, which is a 25 minutes one-way journey. She goes several times a week in the summer, and at least once in the winter.
Tim DeGeeter, mayor of Parma, said a dog park would be an agreeable attraction to draw people to the city, as well as being beneficial to current residents who would enjoy such an amenity. The city is hesitating only because of budgetary concerns, but supporters hope the park will soon be a reality.
Dog park supporters might consider working with brochure printers on a booklet that stresses the advantages of such a park, to go along with their petition.
