The Cobbs Hill Dog Park will remain open on a permanent basis now that a pilot program has determined dog parks can be a beneficial addition to the City’s park system. The City is also considering additional sites to locate dog parks in other areas of the city.
“The feedback we have received from the community has been overwhelmingly positive and I see no reason not to continue offering our citizens and four-legged friends the tremendous amenity of a dog park,” said Mayor Lovely A. Warren. “I want to thank all the citizens who participated in the pilot program. I look forward to building more dog parks across the city because they create opportunities to bring citizens together, which advances our efforts to create more jobs, safer, more vibrant neighborhoods and better educational opportunities.”
The Cobbs Hill Dog Park opened in July as a pilot program to determine if such a facility is feasible for Rochester. Because of the pilot program, which included gaining feedback from dog park users, neighbors and neighborhood association leaders from across the city, it was determined the City should continue to operate the dog park and consider adding dog parks to other areas of the city. More than 400 dog park permits were issued during the pilot.
About 50 people attended a public meeting on the Dog Park in November. An additional public meeting will be held in June to further evaluate dog park operations, including winter operations. Based on feedback from the November meeting, the City has added lighting to extend the hours of operation at the Cobbs Hill Dog Park to 7 p.m. during the winter months, when it gets dark earlier. City parks are typically open from dawn to dusk.
The City will continue to evaluate other suggestions to improve the existing dog park and construct new dog parks in other areas of the city. For the immediate future, the Cobbs Hill Dog Park will remain open to city residents only and there will be no fee for dog park permits. Additional information will be forthcoming.
The Cobbs Hill Dog Park is located on Norris Drive, immediately east of the softball diamonds in Cobbs Hill Park. Dog Park Amenities include: Large dog and small dog areas; fire hydrants; a stone dust surface; open lawns; benches; shade trees; pet waste stations; and drinking water on a seasonal basis. City employees do not supervise the dog park. It is the responsibility of users to keep the park safe and clean.
To obtain a Dog Park Permit, owners must have a City dog license and proof of rabies vaccination. Permit applications must be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office in room 100A of City Hall, 30 Church St. City Hall is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except on holidays. Owners will be issued a blue City of Rochester Dog Park medallion, or tag, which will signify that the dog has a permit to be in the park. Owners will also be given a pass code to open the Dog Park gate.
To learn more about the Dog Park, visit www.cityofrochester.gov/dogpark/
