Hi Ben,
Absolutely, though I'd be more anxious to get one closer to Wooster Square. Basically I believe a dog park is not a public good, and communal "ownership" of the park by dog owners will help enforce discipline (similar parks, for example, in Boston have tags that dogs wear to notify that their owners are paid users). My fiancee and I spoke with our local alderman about raising monies from area pet owners, to help pay for the price of a fence, picnic tables, and trash service/maintenance. I think (and anecdotally talking to various owners) that $20-$50 is a fair price to chip in (and I've counted well over a hundred dogs in the area). But yeah, I think people would be willing to pitch in, so long as they accrue certain benefits (not sure if that means barring non-paying dog owners or not). Hope this helps!

Lionel

A few community members have begun organizing a dog park proposal and will report their findings at the Wooster Square Block Watch meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 6:00pm in the Conte School Library. They have been looking at a number of sites, but especially focusing on the park across from Firestone because of the proximity to Wooster Square and the size, for the number of dogs we have in the area the space needs to be pretty big. The report will cover hopefully some cost estimates and we will brainstorm fundraising ideas - the next step to installing a dog park. We would love to have you join us! woostersqwatch@gmail.com and woosterdogs@gmail.com for more information.

Erin,
That sounds great! That site is perfect as it so completely under-utilized (I parked out front the other day and only saw a few homeless men using it over a span of an hour), it is conveniently located (especially for those in 360 State and Smoothie, less for Sage Arts), and it would require seemingly low construction costs, as it is already fenced in on three sides. I think the size is not an issue (I am coming from NYC, however, where dog parks are never the size of Hamden's!). Look forward to discussing this at the board meeting. Thanks again!

Lionel & Julie

Here are the two locations for the dog park:
http://seeclickfix.com/issues/29529-great-location-for-downtown-dog-park
http://seeclickfix.com/issues/114224-dog-park

On the first issue you can donate right now and the money will be taken from your account when we reach the tipping point. The donation button is on the right under the map. Please share around. The city has already approved the State Street location and the drawings are approved as well.

I belive there is no dog park in wooster square because too many children play there, as well as it being a historic park. I see people playing withtheir dogs in the park on the corner of jefferson and st john. maybe they can turn one end of that park into a dog park ?

You could go to the St. Ronan St. dog park as long as your dog doesn't bark OR you could come to the East Shore and enjoy the Ft. Hale dog park if you can find it. Someone keeps stealing the signs! I'm sure it's the ONLY dog park in the country with a MILLION DOLLAR water view!

Of course, NEITHER one of these solutions is within walking distance for you, but if you have the time, the East SHore has the park!

Hi Roger,
I'm not even talking about installing a dog park in the square itself but rather just in the vicinity. Truth be told, it might not look great if done poorly, and my guess is there would be complaints from neighbors about loud barking, loitering, etc. (though my guess is the square would do better with a dog park than a monument/sculpture). I'm just baffled by a city that appears to protect its parks but then I see these green spaces so under-utilized. I'm also biased - since moving to Connecticut, I detect a noted and palpable anti-dog atmosphere in the air (try taking a dog to a beach or state park - even Yale's absolutely deserted and private park/pond in the sticks of CT is off-limits for dogs!). I'm not sure why that is, but if New Haven really wants to become a more progressive and livable city for young families, it needs to become more dog-friendly (and more bike-friendly, but that's a different rant for another time). I'm also all for private financing of a dog park.

Lionel

Where is the East Shore? I'd be game, if it were within 20 minutes or so of NH. Thanks for the tip!

Where is the East Shore? I'd be game, if it were within 20 minutes or so of NH. Thanks for the tip!

Edgewood also has a dog park behind the skate park but not really walking distance.

Why not the Parking Authority lot on Chestnut betwen St. John and Greene? No cars are ever parked there. I am still unclear about why the fenced-in playground behind Polly McCabe was closed to dog owners. It is not used by children, the equipment is not cared for and there is better/safer equipment in two other locations on the combined campus with Conte.

lbeehner-

The East Shore is located near Tweed Airport. Take I-95 East to Exit 50, Woodward Avenue. At the 2nd traffic light ON the exit, take a right- Woodward Ave. Go all the way to the end until you come to Ft. Hale Park. As the road curves to the left, you will see a park area on the right. Pull up to the fence to park and then follow the walkway up the hill. The dog park is right there.

If not coming by I-95, then take Forbes Ave. If you are near Wooster Sq., go to the end of Olive St. towards High School in the Community. At the traffic light, take a left onto Water St. Water Street turns into Forbes Ave. after you cross East St. Follow that until you come to Forbes Gas Station on your right and take a right turn there. That is Woodward Ave.

You will see a whole NEW area of New Haven that still remains in ONE piece with well-kept homes and landscaping! Try it, you'll like it!

Anybody know what the status of this is? Last I heard there was talk of installing a park across from the Firestone dealership, probably in the spring, but haven't heard any follow-up or proposals on fundraisers (my guess is if costs $10K just to hand out baggies in Woo Park, it's gonna cost at least double that to install fencing, lighting, trash receptacles, etc.). But if there's anybody out there with the latest info on this, I'd be very interested in knowing if this project is moving forward (and if not, how we can nudge it along). Thanks!

Friends of Wooster Square (find us on Facebook!) is fundraising to open a dog park at Union Street and Chapel Street for the Wooster Square and Downtown areas. The first event is Dec. 10 and 18!

PROFESSIONAL DOG PORTRAITS & 2012 WOOSTER DOGS CALENDAR

Saturday, December 10
Sunday, December 18

... 9:00am to 11:00am in Wooster Square Park

Benefiting Union Street Dog Park

By Photographer Cesar Otilio Martinez Macias

- - -

2012 Wooster Dogs Calendar

email friendsofwoostersquare@gmail.com for appointment time

$80 Donation – DOG OF THE MONTH (Full Page)

$50 Donation (Half Page)

$15 Dog Portraits
drop-in from 10am-11am

Top 5 Dog Portraits will WIN a spot in calendar! Categories: Best Holiday Theme, Best Halloween Costume, Cutest Couple, Cutest Puppy, Best Smile! BRING: your dog, any costumes or props, and if possible his/her dog pillow to help get your pup to sit.

Miss your chance last weekend to help fund-raise for a Union St Dog Park? It's not too late!
PROFESSIONAL DOG PORTRAITS & 2012 WOOSTER DOGS CALENDAR

Saturday, December 17 from 9:30am to 11:00am
Sunday, December 18 from 9:30am to 11:30am

In Wooster Square Park
Benefiting Union Street Dog Park

2012 Wooster Dogs Calendar
Email friendsofwoostersquare@gmail.com for appointment time or just drop by!

$80 Donation – DOG OF THE MONTH (Full Page)
$50 Donation (Half Page)
$15 Dog Portraits

Top 5 Dog Portraits will WIN a spot in calendar! Categories: Best Holiday Theme, Best Halloween Costume, Cutest Couple, Cutest Puppy, Best Smile! BRING: your dog, any costumes or props, and if possible his/her dog pillow to help get your pup to sit.

The dog park issue appears to have been fixed. There are plans in place to open a dog park on Union Street, between Downtown and Wooster Square.