SANDY SPRINGS, Georgia – July 15, 2007 - Neighborhood opposition may delay, or even jeopardize, the construction of a Sandy Springs off-leash dog park, despite unanimous support from the mayor and city council members and the desires of an overwhelming majority of Sandy Springs taxpayers. Vociferous opposition from some residents of the Ridgeview and High Point neighborhoods has fueled demand for a town meeting on Thursday, July 19.
On June 5, Mayor Eva Galambos and the Sandy Springs City Council approved construction of an off-leash dog park at Ridgeview Park and instructed $25,000 in funds be made available in the new fiscal year which began July 1. Ridgeview Park was recommended as the best possible site for a dog park after a professional review of all Sandy Springs parks; only Ridgeview has the necessary components of space, shade, parking and a water source.
Widespread community demand and support for a dog park led volunteers to meet on June 27 to form Sandy Springs Pooch Park Pals, a group dedicated to partnering with the city to develop and maintain an off-leash dog park. At that meeting, Mayor Eva Galambos stated, "There are more dogs than children in Sandy Springs and we need to give them a place to play ... In the fall, we'll have a place for your dogs to play."
According to Pooch Park Pals organizer Alison Harris, "Sandy Springs leash laws forbid owners from letting their dogs roam off-leash anywhere in our city. A fenced-in, off-leash, city-owned dog park provides a safe, legal option for dogs and people alike!"
Some Ridgeview residents, as well as some in the adjacent High Point neighborhood, have recently expressed fears to various Sandy Springs officials that adding an off-leash area to Ridgeview Park will cause noise, traffic, and parking problems.
Dog park supporters and neighbors who oppose it will face off at an open town hall meeting led by City Council member Tibby DeJulio to be held on Thursday, July 19, at 7 PM at Church of the Redeemer, 5185 Peachtree-Dunwoody Road NE.
