Dog park idea gains momentum

By the turnout at the latest discussion about a possible dog park in Bremerton, Fido may soon have a place to roam: off-leash.

With more than 45 people in attendance, the city of Bremerton parks and recreation staff presented three possible locations for a dog park in the city: Stevens Canyon, Pendergast Regional Park and Forest Ridge Park.

“Stevens was high on our list and it sounds like there is a lot of interest in that site,” said Ken Michelsen, Bremerton director of parks and recreation.

Even though the site isn’t perfect, it would be more available to potential development than other sites, Michelsen said.

“If people think that particular site meets their long-term goals, then we need to discuss fund-raising goals,” he said.

Stevens Canyon is a 27-acre site that is surrounded by a residential area and lacks a parking area and water source, he said.

“We need to consider the impacts on that area,” he said. “We want to meet with people in the area and talk to them about we want to do.”

Dog parks are popular and attract a lot of people through a neighborhood, so involving the neighborhood in the proposed use will be a key factor in its development, he said.

Pendergast Regional Park could be the location for a temporary dog park.

“We could get a site like Pendergast up and running for a few dollars with fencing we could remove quickly,” Michelsen said.

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