Ringgold Mayor Nick Millwood is continuing to pursue a dog park for the city of Ringgold, but Councilwoman Sara Clark is still unsure if the benefits outweigh the cost.
Previously, Millwood made a motion to turn an old ball park into a dog park, he said, but it has not happened yet.
"If the Council sees fit to do it, I would like to find a place to have a dog park," he said. "I campaigned and knocked on a lot of doors - many dogs barked each time. I would like to see a dog park for residents to utilize. Having a dog park in the city would be a really great cost to benefit ratio as far as quality of life. A lot of people leave our community to go to dog parks. I think this would be a very low cost to do that."
Clark said she does think the dog park would be a nice addition to the community, but she believes it would involve more than just putting up a fence.
"Someone has to care for the property," said Clark. "If those same dog lovers don't know where their dog poop is, then they don't pick up anybody's. That can be a nuisance and an issue. There's a few more issues to iron out other than the fence. There's responsibility for the city."
Paula Smith, an area resident at the meeting, said her concern is how to ensure owners are bringing healthy dogs that are up-to-date on their vaccines.
"We don't want inappropriate dogs running loose with puppies and children," said Smith.
According to Catoosa Citizens' for Animal Care's Kelly Evans, businesses are needed to support the dog park. He is hopeful that businesses would be interested in donating to help fund the fence.
"You can get waivers signed by people using the dog park," said Evans, suggesting a solution to alleviate Smith's concern, adding that owners are should be responsible for picking up after their dogs.
"I don't think we should look for a place [to put the dog park] until we make a decision that yes it's a good idea," said Clark.
Millwood said he would bring the dog park idea up again later.