The Salem City Council has approved the purchase of more than $16,000 in new fencing for the dog park in Bryan Memorial Park over the objection of one councilman who doesn’t feel users are taking care of it.
Councilman Royce Bringwald raised health concerns because of the current condition of the park.
“Biggest thing there is a lot of people not picking up after their pets. I went out there and did some research this morning and I’ve got about half a five gallon bucket full of “fertilizer” let’s say. Also torn up dog toys, and the disease factor with all the feces out there so at this point I cannot support anything to do with the dog park.”
The rest of the council didn’t agree, with Councilwoman Amy Troutt calling it a quality of life issue.
“The population loss that we are experiencing at some point we have to do things in our community that will appeal to the generations that are coming in. The 20-30 something year old’s, the people that don’t see sitting at a slot machine as entertainment. They are going out and looking for these opportunities. We need to do a better job in upkeep and put in place whatever that takes. But this is something that I think younger people and families look for in their community.”
Mayor Nic Farley said he couldn’t say it any better and joined Councilman Jim Koehler and Craig Morton who also voted in favor of the upgrades.
Public Works Director Annette Sola hopes the improvements are completed by the first part of May.
“Everything is set for the dog park to go forward so we will get fencing ordered this week and as soon as that comes in we will begin the process. Our intention right now is to not close the park, so we will build within the old fence and then tear it down once everything is done.”
The work will include splitting the park into two to provide different areas for large and small dogs. The old dugouts and other buildings will come out with some new amenities added. Sola is planning to budget for a shelter inside the dog park in next year’s budget.
