TC’s off-leash people’s park: Go people, go!
A community-supported blog, thank you.
Go people, go!
_
Traverse City’s dog park has been going, as one observer called it, “bonzai!” since it opened last month. We knew the dogs would love it–they love pretty much anything–but the people have really been enjoying it.
I was there two weeks ago and counted 14 dogs and about 30 people. Others have observed similar numbers. After that, I started calling it the off-leash people park.
As the Record Eagle opined: “It’s hard to tell who likes Traverse City’s new dog park more — the dogs or their owners.”
It is about the people.
As expected with concentrations of people, the connections have started to take place. I’ve heard of at least two people finding work connections, have seen old friends reunited, and it is almost impossible to visit the park and not talk to a stranger. Great stuff!
As one of the volunteers working on the park, I’m curious in people’s first impressions and the connections made. Whether you’ve been to the park or not, please provide some feedback here:
_
To close, another playful 18 seconds at the unofficially named Wags West dog park.
Local News:
- Dog park a howling success (REagle)
- Not barking up wrong tree (REagle)
- Dog park etiquette (9&10)
Blank Here
I agree, it’s a very social experience for the dog owners, too. We enjoyed hanging out and talking with our friends there just yesterday, while our dogs ran around. But I wouldn’t just say, ‘It’s about the people.’ It’s every bit as much about the dogs. Our dogs don’t have the oppty to socialize like they did yesterday; we thought it was great for them, and we’ll be bringing them back to the park for that reason alone. The fact is, in most households, people outnumber their pets, so the numbers don’t surprise me. So as to the question of ‘who likes the dog park more — the dogs or their owners?’ the answer is simply ‘it’s a tie!’
Great job, Gary! I am taking my grand dogs there.
_____
Fair enough…
The smile on people passing by, sans dog, who stop to watch is also a joy to see.