Pennsbury Township supervisors will, in August, be
considering a proposal for a dog park to be put in the township park. If
approved, it could be ready in September.

The bark park would be a place where residents can take
their dogs and have them off leash to socialize with other dogs, according to
Kendal Reynolds of the township Park Committee.

She said the initial cost for the fenced 27,600 square foot
area (230 feet by 120 feet) would be $4,100.

Township Manager Kathy Howley said the township has the
money and Reynolds said the committee would fund on-going costs, such as waste
bags.

According to Reynolds, the bark park is consistent with the
township park’s current usage. Walkers and joggers who frequently take their
dogs with them are the main users of the park. Now, though, the dogs are
required to be leashed.

Dogs, even when leashed can startle joggers. She said having
an area set aside for dogs would help reduce such occurrences. She added that
the dog park would help “cultivate healthy activities with the owners and the
dogs.”

The park would also help enforce the current leash
requirement by giving owners a place where they can take their dogs off the
leash, she said.

The site under consideration is along the northeast side of
the park near an already planned fence line that parallels Route 1. It’s an
open area, open from above, with no trees so there would be no birds or other
wildlife to interfere with the dogs. It’s also an uneven area, but Reynolds
said that’s not a problem.

“Dogs don’t care if it’s flat or not,” she said.

There would be an access gate in the fence, a chipped floor
and waste containers.

Reynolds said the fencing could be moved if necessary.

Potential litigation would be the same as it is now in the
township, based on state law, she said. Reynolds added that it would also be a
relatively quiet area with less barking than in other situations.

“Dogs typically bark when they can’t get together,” she
said.

Use of the park would be limited to two dogs per owner. All
dogs must be at least 6 months old and be current with their shots. No person
younger than 18 can be in the bark park without an adult.

No dogs that are sick or in heat would be allowed in.

Reynolds said the idea has been under discussion for several
years. There are groups of dog walkers who meet regularly now, but what made
the idea attractive now is that there is a fence project already scheduled. By
dovetailing the two projects, the township could save time and money.

It would be a BYOW park, meaning, “Bring your own water.”

Supervisor Charles “Scotty” Scottoline said it “sounds like
a good idea.”

Supervisors’ Chairman Wendell Fenton commended Reynolds on
her presentation and said the board would act during the August meeting.