Council Discusses Potential Location for Dog Park

For dog owners in North Kingstown, there aren't a lot of places to legally let their pets off the leash in town. Parks like Ryan Park and Wilson Park both mandate that dogs be leashed at all times while on the grounds while the North Kingstown Town Beach prohibits dogs in general.

At Monday night's town council meeting, Town Manager Michael Embury proposed a possible location for NK's first dog park. Though it's not a priority, Embury says that many residents have expressed interest in having a dog park in town similar to those in South Kingstown and Newport.

According to Embury, there is a vacant, town-owned parcel of land located across from Allen Harbor at the corner of Bruce Boyer Street that may be suitable for such a park.

"People have been using our public parks [because North Kingstown doesn't have a dog park,]" said Council President Elizabeth Dolan. "Technically they can't let their dogs loose in Wilson and Ryan Park."

Embury said he could have the department of public works director look into the cost creating a dog park at the location, including fencing and maintenance.

Councilor Kerry McKay inquired about another potential location for the park – the former landfill on Hamilton Allenton Road. . According to Embury, the Department of Environmental Management has not officially closed the site as a landfill. 

Dolan also suggested that the council look into instituting passes for the potential dog park to help defray the costs of maintaining it.

Would you support a dog park in NK? Where do you think would be the best location?