MONDAY,AIJGUST20.2001
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 5A
NEWS
New park lets dogs run leash-free
By Courtney Craigmile Kansan staff writer
Lawrence dogs and their owners have a new place to frolic without leash restrictions for the pets.
Mutt Run, Lawrence's offleash park, opened Aug. 4 near the dam at Clinton Lake.
The park is designed to let dogs run free, something they aren't normally able to do because of city leash laws.
"People wanted an area where people can run their dogs and we've tried to answer that," said Fred DeVictor, director of parks and recreation.
DeVictor said members of Lawrence Dogs and Owners Green Space approached the city about a year ago to build the offleash park.
ine city spent about $15,000 building the park at 1330 E. 901 Road, just below the dam at Clinton Lake.
The 30-acre park is mostly an open field, DeVictor said. The Army Corps of Engineers allotted another 30 acres north of the park for dog use, as well.
To make the park user-friendly, the city included trails, shade trees, restrooms for owners and tools for owners to clean up after their pets.
"We have regulations," DeVictor said. "One of the things we ask people is to pick up after their
pets, and we have gloves and stuff for that."
Dave Ramos, Olathe senior, has taken his Dalmatian, Iris, to the park several times.
He said Mutt Run provided an ideal opportunity for the two to play together. He said he usually took a Frisbee to the park for Iris to chase.
"She's getting good at some Frisbee tricks now." Ramos said.
But Ramos said one thing the park was missing was a pond for the dogs to swim in.
Mutt Run isn't often crowded
when he visits,he saidpossibly because people don't know the park is open.
Mary Boatright, Topeka junior, was unaware of Mutt Run's opening. She said if she had the time, she would take her dog to the park to run around.
Boatright lives in an apartment, so any time she takes her dog outside she has to have it on a leash, she said.
Mutt Run also may not be crowded because of its far-away location.
"It would have been more convenient if it was in town," Boatright said.
A friend told Holli Wilson, a nondegree-seeking student from Lenexa, that Mutt Run was open, but she only knew that it was outside of town - and not its exact location. Wilson has plans to visit the park with her dog now that she knows where to go.
But Ramos doesn't mind the drive to Clinton Lake if it means his dog can run leash-free.
Craigmile can be reached at 864-4810 or writer@kansan.com
Dogs run leash-free at Mutt Run. The new 30-acre park, located at 1330 E.901 Road (below the dam at Clinton Lake), allows dogs to roam and mingle without restraint.
JAMIE ROPER/KANSAN
JAMIE ROPER/KANSAN
Carolyn Plunkett, Lawrence, takes a break with Meka and Popzi, a pair of Sheltie- and Collie-mixed breed dogs. Plunkett said she enjoyed being able to let the dogs roam freely without the restriction of leashees.
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