Here’s great news for all dog owners in the Tri-Cities, particularly those of us who love the Richland Dog Park like we do: The park will be staying open past its six-month trial period and plans are underway to expand the dog park into a much bigger and more flexible space for both dogs and their owners. It’s all part of the city’s proposed amendment to the Badger Mountain Community Park Master Plan.

The dog park’s trial was due to end in April, but it’s been such a success that the city is going to keep it open while plans to expand and improve the space are finalized and voted on at the city level.

Dave Bryant, Richland’s Senior Park Planner, shared these details with us today:

The dog park would be divided into an area for small dogs and all dogs. The small dog area would consist of two ½-acre areas. The all dog area will consist of two 2-acre areas. The idea is that one small dog area and one all-dog area would be open for about 4-6 weeks. Those areas would then be closed (locked gates) and the other areas would be opened. This will allow for the grass in each of the areas to re-establish itself. The alternating of opening and closing the areas will continue throughout the use of the park and will vary depending upon the use of the park and overall health of the turf area.

All entrances will be designed with a two-gate system and a two-gate exit area will also be designed into the park in a location separate from the entrance gate. Amenities of the dog park will also include lots of shade trees, picnic shelters with tables, park benches and drinking fountains with pet bowls. There will be ample parking directly adjacent to the perimeter on the dog park, so owners will not have to cross sports fields or the parking lot itself to get to the dog park.

Seriously, how great does that sound? Dave shared the plan that was shared and discussed at a public meeting last week. You can download the PDF or just look at the image below, which I’ve marked up to show the current dog park location and the new area. (click for a larger version)

Still up in the air is how cars will get into the new parking lots right near the proposed dog park space. “We are looking at providing an access road off the end of Englewood Drive or possibly getting an easement from the land owner of the property West of the site to allow for a access from the lower parking lot,” Dave told us today via email.

The Richland Parks Commission will consider the amendment at its May 14th meeting. And if they give their blessing, the Richland City Council will discuss it on June 2nd. Bryant says the earliest any work will be done on this is 2010 if the city pays for the changes with city money, or it’ll be 2011 if the city applies for state funding.

Sounds to this dog owner like it’ll be well worth the wait.

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