A plan to establish the city of Rochester's first off-leash dog park has taken a big leap forward.
After 18 months of planning and public meetings, city council's parks and public works committee unanimously approved a 6-month pilot project to set up a dog park at Cobbs Hill Park.
Councilman Matt Haag chairs that committee. He says the dog run would be located three-quarters of an acre site across from the Monroe County Water Authority.
"So if you have your dog licensed with the city of Rochester, you will be able to get a pass or a code to access the park and you can take your dog there and run your dog off leash. Part of the park will be designated for smaller dogs; another part will be designated for larger dogs."
The project still needs the approval of the full council. A vote is expected at the February 21 meeting. Haag said the city's preservation board will also have to sign off on the plan, since Cobbs Hill is an historic park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.
East District councilmember Elaine Spaull said the idea of a dog park would benefit the city in general.
"Anything that will keep our young folks here, young professionals and families, and there are a lot of seniors and empty nesters walking all over the Park Avenue area every day with their dogs. I think those are the people who asked for this, and the city's being responsive."
Haag said the park would be enclosed by a fence for the protection of both people and dogs. No registration fee is planned as part of the 6-month pilot project, but Haag said one may be added it the park is approved for permanent use. If the plans proceed as expected, the park could open by June 1.
"And, ultimately if it works well,” he said, “something to consider will be to make it part of the larger dog park network in Monroe County so that this will be accessible to other users in the area and their parks would be available to city users."
