Yes, We Need A Dog Park In Silverton! But Are You Willing To Pay To Go?
As a nearly 20 year resident of the little slice of Ocean County heaven known as the Silverton section of Toms River, I have seen many changes. Restaurants and other…
ALABASTER, AL – FEBRUARY 24: Tails were wagging at a groundbreaking event to kick-off the $500,000 renovation of the off-leash area in Veterans Park on February 24, 2012 in Alabaster, Alabama. Honey Belle, a Shepherd mix, joined her owner Jennifer Wilson for the celebration. Wilson is the Grand Prize Winner of the Beneful Dream Dog Park Contest and her ideas helped inspire the makeover Also helping to break ground was licensed contractor Jason Cameron, who will manage the renovation, City of Alabaster Mayor David Frings, and Allison Boland, Beneful Assistant Brand Manager. The Dream Dog Park will be unveiled in summer 2012. (Photo by Skip Bolen/Getty Images for Beneful)
As a nearly 20 year resident of the little slice of Ocean County heaven known as the Silverton section of Toms River, I have seen many changes. Restaurants and other businesses come and go. Friends and neighbors move away, then new neighbors move in to hopefully make friends with. Then there are our furry friends. Ah, the neighborhood dogs. I love em all, even that German Sheppard that stands on his deck and barks at me and my pups as we walk by, like he is thirsting for our blood! Nah, he probably just wants to play! That right there has been the problem for years! There aren't many places in Silverton to let your dog off leash and play with other dogs in the neighborhood. Sure the beach clubs in the area are fenced in, but none that I know of even allow dogs or any pets.
Well, all that has been seemingly fixed with the recent announcement of a brand new state-of-the-art Dog Park set to be built in the back end field at Silverton Park, off Maine Street in the heart of the neighborhood. Amazing news, really. According to the township press release, the park will include vinyl fencing 4 to 10 feet high, pet waste stations, a walking path, new landscaping, benches and recycling bins, and parking. There will be areas to walk dogs on leashes, and yes, an area for unleashed pups to frolic and play! All dogs must be licensed, and, here is the part that raised my bushy eyebrow...All dog owners wishing to attend must first purchase a 10-dollar dog park permit from the town. Wait, what? Is that per household or per dog? Is this a one-time deal, or do we have to renew park passes yearly like it's Six Paws Over Silverton? I'm no cheapskate, and I will more than likely pay for the permit, but it's just another case of our township taxes going up, yet then when it comes time for town improvements, here we go again with more fees and permits on top.
Whadda you think? Let's talk about it this Fall over a cup of Pumpkin Spice whatever at the Silverton Dog Park. Me and Oakley and Cash will be there!
