Poll: Does Westminster Need a Dog Park?

got the go-ahead recently from commissioners to build a dog park at Bennett Cerf Park in Westminster.

The commissioners told Jeff Degitz, director of Carroll County Recreation and Parks, they would approve the use of the space, but it is now up to the community to raise the $15,000 to construct the park.

"We have gotten a number of request for dog parks over the years," said Degitz.

Degitz agreed to seek out funding for the park and to present a park operating plan to commissioners in the near future.

The dog park will be on a little under one acre. Degitz said the location is perfect because Bennett Cerf Park is surrounded on three sides by Random House and on one side by Rt. 27.

Carroll County currently has one dog park in Mount Airy. The other closest dog parks are in Reisterstown, Frederick and Hanover, Pa.

The park will pay for itself, Degitz told commissioners, through an annual membership fee structure for dog park users. The park will also be self-policed and rules for acceptable behavior will be posted.

Although dogs are currently allowed at parks in Carroll County, Degitz said part of the allure with a dog park is that dogs can be let off the leash in a fenced area.

Watch Jeff Degitz's presentation to the commissioners on the Carroll County government website.

Would you pay a fee to use a dog park? Will you use the Bennett Cerf Dog Park? Tell us in the comments below.