Lynchburg City Council endorses plans for off-leash dog park

Lynchburg City Council endorsed plans for an off-leash dog park Tuesday, paving the way for fundraising to begin.

The approved park will be built in the Blackwater Creek Athletic Area off Monticello Avenue. Community donations will be needed to bring the project to fruition.

Council agreed to pay half of all the park’s future maintenance costs, roughly estimated to be $2,000 a year.

No city funds, however, are to be used for the construction of the facility itself — a caveat recommended by dog park supporters to ward off opposition.

Advocates instead plan to raise all the necessary money themselves, as well as provide onsite supervision early on to ensure dog owners comply with park rules.

“We’re looking for your approval, but we’re not looking for a lot of assistance,” Ed Beehler, a member of the dog park committee, told council.

Park supporters plan to form a new nonprofit advocacy group that will provide both fundraising and oversight services.

Current budget estimates say a minimum of around $27,500 will be needed to buy the basic park infrastructure, including fencing and waste disposal stations.

Additional amenities, including water fountains, benches and play equipment, will require further contributions. Organizers hope to eventually raise more than $100,000.

Council, in its deliberations, praised the community’s willingness to assume ownership of the project and welcomed a chance to revive a currently underused park area.

“This is just a good idea. There’s not much more to say about it,” said Ward I Councilman Mike Gillette.

Vice Mayor Bert Dodson added, “There are thousands of dog owners in the city who pay their taxes and obey the law. Let’s give them a break and give them a dog park.”

The vote passed 6-1 with Councilman Jeff Helgeson, of Ward III, dissenting. Helgeson said he feared the city’s financial commitment would inevitably grow over time.

“I’ve seen that many times,” he said. “The city starts picking up the slack.”

In other news Tuesday:
- Council agreed to extend a property tax rebate for Amazement Square indefinitely. The rebate, originally approved in 2004, applies to the new Rotary Centennial Riverfront Skatepark run by the downtown children’s museum.

Officials pledged to provide the site a reoccurring tax refund, although that commitment will have to be reaffirmed each year through the regular budget process. The taxable value of the park property — which was donated by the city — has risen by more than 1,640 percent since the skateboarding facility opened last year.

- Council took no action on a report made about the feasibility of adding curbside pickup to the city recycling program. Officials instead expressed strong optimism about plans to start a private curbside service.

Recycle Easy, a new business now being organized, plans to start operations early next year. Subscriptions will cost $179 a year and initially be available only to residents of the 24551, 24502 and 24503 zip codes. Owners hope to expand that territory over time.

Council did request more frequent updates on the public recycling program, specifically on the amount of revenue it generates through the sale of recyclable materials.

Should the program become more cost-effective in the future, the idea of adding curbside pickup could be revisited, officials suggested.

- Council unanimously agreed to grant Appalachian Power Company permission to string electric lines over a piece of city-owned property in Campbell County. The new lines will serve the Spring Hill Suites by Marriott hotel, now under construction across from the Lynchburg Regional Airport.

- A public hearing was held on a revised citizen participation plan for the Community Development Block Grant and Home Investment Partnerships programs. No speakers came forward. Council is expected to vote on the plan Nov. 11.