Dog park proposed for Cleveland's Tinsley Park

February 22, 2015 at 1:00 a.m. | Updated February 23, 2015 at 3:08 p.m.

by Paul Leach

Kim Dillenbeck's dog Pig drinks water at a park in Alabaster, Ala., on Tuesday, June 17, 2014. Born in Atlanta with severe deformities and adopted by the Alabama woman as a puppy, the mixed-breed dog has gangly legs, a body that appears to have been cut in two and no neck. She hops like a frog to stand up and walks with a high-shouldered gait that resembles a gorilla. Unable to swing her head side to side, Pig spins her whole body to see what's beside her. (AP Photo/Jay Reeves)
Kim Dillenbeck's dog Pig drinks water at a park in Alabaster, Ala., on Tuesday, June 17, 2014. Born in Atlanta with severe deformities and adopted by the Alabama woman as a puppy, the mixed-breed dog has gangly legs, a body that appears to have been cut in two and no neck. She hops like a frog to stand up and walks with a high-shouldered gait that resembles a gorilla. Unable to swing her head side to side, Pig spins her whole body to see what's beside her. (AP Photo/Jay Reeves)
photo Cleveland Dog Park plans

CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Plans and pledges are in the works for the creation of a city dog park within Tinsley Park.

On Monday, the Cleveland City Council will vote whether to approve conceptual plans for the dog park and to provide preparatory and maintenance services for the canine facility.

Cleveland's commitment of services to the project is contingent on private fundraising of $115,000, the estimated cost for the development, construction and installation of the fenced dog zones in the northwest area of Tinsley Park.

"The cost of the Cleveland Dog Park will be funded predominantly from donations from local citizens, business leaders and companies," said developer John Sheehan in an email to city planner Corey Divel.

The proposed dog park already has received $60,000 in pledges, according to the resolution that will be presented to the council.

Local representatives of the Cleveland Dog Park Committee, the Friends of the Greenway, MainStreet Cleveland and the Community Foundation of Cleveland and Bradley County are involved in the project.

The proposal calls for approximately an acre of space to be fenced in, providing 0.4 acre for a small-dog area and 0.61 acre for larger dogs.

Each will have an enclosed entrance, a gazebo and park benches, according to site plans prepared by Berry Engineers LLC.

The proposed park will extend west from Tinsley's skateboard area, filling in the space between the greenway path and the parking lot for the picnic pavilion.

Plans also call for additional parking spaces.

Assuming fundraising efforts are successful, dog park supporters have requested that the city cut, grind and remove approximately 20 pine trees to help with site preparation.

Sheehan originally asked the city to waive permit and other startup fees associated with the project. However, Divel said such fees cannot be waived, but could be handled "in-house."

The resulting measure calls for the city to provide fees related to taps, meters and permits.

Dog park supporters also have requested that Cleveland provide eight park benches, similar in style to ones in use at First Street Square, and trash cans.

Requested city upkeep includes emptying trash cans, cutting the grass and making sprinkler repairs.

Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.

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