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Scott Terrell
Lilly the Chihuahua resists the leash at Skagit River Park in Burlington as owner Kim Whipple of Sedro-Woolley keeps a tight reign on the active pup in this 2006 photo. Currently, the closest dog parks are in Anacortes and Bellingham.
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MOUNT VERNON — A recent Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation department survey found that 95 percent of participants supported some sort of dog park the city.
Of the more than 600 respondents who voiced their opinions in the online survey, the majority supported the city creating or modifying an existing city park to accommodate area dog owners.
“This was not a scientific survey by any means, but I’ve been overwhelmed with the response,” Larry Otos, Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation director, said Monday. “I wasn’t too surprised with the results because over the years we’ve had a lot of requests. People have told me ‘Everybody else has a dog park, how come we don’t?’”
The closest dog parks are in Anacortes and Bellingham.
The survey asked participants 11 multiple choice and three open-ended questions. Nearly half of the respondents said they would use a dog park three or more times per week, and more than two-thirds would walk more than two miles to get there if needed, the results said.
Bakerview Park was the top choice among participants (67 votes), with Edgewater (39) and Hillcrest (32) parks receiving votes, as well. Survey takers also preferred a dog park with access to a water source — 47 votes supported a location close to water.
“It was made to give us a well-rounded sense of what people were looking for,” Otos said. “We know we can’t put one in every neighborhood.”
A copy of the survey was submitted to the City Council, which will meet with the parks department in March to discuss the dog park’s feasibility within the city. If the city gives the department a green light, Otos said he will explore funding options and possible locations.
About 75 percent of respondents supported the city creating a pet registration fee to help fund the maintenance of a dog park, but Otos said the department would likely need to find additional funding through public and private donations.
Of more than 250 responses provided in the comments section of the survey, 169 of those favored a dog park.
The Mount Vernon municipal code requires dog owners within the city limits to keep their pets under physical control at all times.
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