City of Maricopa issued the following announcement on Aug. 3.
The City of Maricopa announced a plan to open three dog parks that will provide closer proximity and ease of access to more residents and their dogs. Currently, some residents must drive as long as 25 minutes to visit the City’s only dog park, located at Copper Sky Regional Park. Staff are currently identifying exact park locations, with the overall intention a reduction in commute to an off-leash dog park. With placement near trails and open spaces, walking to and from the dog park would now be an option.
City Council approved the sale of a portion of land on the southwest corner of Copper Sky that includes the existing dog park. As a part of the plan, the City has committed to opening another park prior to this park’s closure. “The sale of the land now allows us to develop the space and move forward quickly with our plan to space out dog park access throughout the City,” said Community Services Director Nathan Ullyot. “The sale of the property will provide the funding needed to develop the new locations. The acreage for these locations will at least match the three acres currently available at Copper Sky.”
Ullyot also hopes to partner with homeowners associations to incorporate dog parks for their residents utilizing existing greenbelts and retention areas. The City has identified dog parks as a preferred amenity for new communities, with several developments already planning for the inclusion of dog parks in six current designs. Maricopa Police Department Chief James Hughes mentioned another benefit to the decentralized dog parks, “People walking in their neighborhoods with their dogs to a central location on a regular basis means eyes on the street. This means crime deterrence and increased reporting on damage.”
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