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Dog park coming to pool at Sunset Park?

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By Ryan Gauthier, Staff Writer Updated 7:43 AM Tuesday, February 9, 2010

MIDDLETOWN — The pool at Sunset Park may be closed to two-legged customers indefinitely, but if one councilman has his way it will be packed with dogs instead.

Jim Armbruster, 1st Ward councilman, said the idea of a dog park has been barking around the city for close to 15 years. While absolutely nothing has been set in stone, Armbruster said he would like to see the pool at Sunset Park filled with dirt to provide a set space for dogs and their owners to socialize.

“This is something we have been talking about since I first got on the park board,” Armbruster said. “Any way you look at it, this community needs some sort of dog park.”

The idea resurfaced during City Council’s annual retreat late last month, when members asked City Manager Judy Gilleland to work on a feasibility study and report staff findings back to them.

Because the area surrounding Sunset Pool is already fenced in and well lit, Armbruster said it would reduce the work necessary to convert it to a dog-friendly zone. Throw in the existing bathroom and concession facilities and Armbruster said suddenly Middletown is host to a top-notch attraction for area dog owners.

The baby pool at the park could be retained to provide a place for dogs to cool off in the summertime as well, he said.

And while the natural question then becomes what Middletown will do about a pool, he said the city should consider going with a more centrally-located spot than Sunset Park for a new aquatic facility.

“We need to bring it out into a better location for our residents,” Armbruster said. “Or we could consider possibly doing a regional pool to share in Butler County with neighboring cities. There are a lot of possibilities.”

But according to Armbruster, the best effect of creating a dedicated place for dogs to play is a lot more subtle.

“People are always complaining about dog poop in Sunset and Smith parks,” he said. “This would hopefully solve that as well.”

Second Ward Councilman A.J. Smith said he thinks a dog park would be a “tremendous asset and amenity for the community.”

“People love their pets,” Smith said. “If they can bring their pets to a park, sit down and congregate on a nice spring day — it just doesn’t get much better than that.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2871 or at rgauthier@coxohio.com.

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