New at Lakewood Dog Park: Lighting, Waste Stations and Bag Recycling Collection for Leashed Dogs in Lakewood

Evan and Ryan donating grocery bags to Leashed Dogs in Lakewood station at Lakewood Dog Park

Let there be light at Lakewood Dog Park! Weeks ahead of Daylight Savings Time ending, the City of Lakewood has installed additional overhead lighting to better illuminate the dog park while being considerate of residential neighbors. 

During months when Northeast Ohio is bathed in darkness more than sunshine, human and canine visitors at Lakewood Dog Park will be able to more fully enjoy the park. It should help in making “doggy duty” easier too.

Additional waste stations, soon to be installed, will contribute to convenience for dog owners and handlers. Lakewood Dog Park Rules ask visitors to always be watchful of their dogs and pick up and dispose of fecal waste. Biodegradable waste bags, tools and trash receptacles are normally provided. Please leave the park as clean as, or cleaner than, it was when you arrived. Please do not leave litter or cigarette butts.

There’s been a 34% increase in dog parks in five years, while regular use parks have only increased by 3%. "Dog Parks and off-leash areas continue to be an important piece of enrichment and exercise for many dogs. We are excited to be partnering with Friends of the Lakewood Dog Park as they make improvements and additions to the dog park. PetPeople is committed to supporting local animal related non-profits and  donates a minimum of 5% of their profits back to the community," said Terri Montigny, Marketing Manager of Pet People, the business donating six new waste stations.

Based in Columbus, PetPeople will be contributing $1,300 worth of biodegradable pet waste bags to Friends of the Lakewood Dog Park in 2013 and 2014. Friends of the Lakewood Dog Park spent $2,200 on biodegradable pet waste bags in 2011. That’s 58,000 bags! Given the proximity of Lakewood Dog Park to Cleveland Metropark and the volume of furry visitors coming through the gates of Lakewood Dog Park each year, biodegradable pet waste bags are a “green choice”. 

Lakewood Dog Park is going “green” by partnering with Leashed Dogs in Lakewood. Clean used plastic grocery-type bags in good condition are being collected inside the Lakewood Dog Park in a dedicated container supplied by Leashed Dogs in Lakewood. 

Leashed Dogs in Lakewood is a citizens’ effort to allow dogs on a leash, accompanied by a responsible owner, in the city parks of Lakewood. Their objective is not only to be able to walk dogs on leashes in the parks, but to help educate the public about the courtesies and responsibilities associated with owning a pet. Among their efforts are filling dispensers with recycled bags for dog waste pick-up in some of Lakewood’s most popular parks.  They may be contacted at www.leasheddogsinlakewoodparks.com.

Lakewood Dog Park is a City of Lakewood public park. Lakewood Dog Park Rules have changed in 2012 and may be found on www.onelakewood.com

Friends of the Lakewood Dog Park, Inc. 501(c)(3) is the non-profit volunteer organization that supplies amenities at Lakewood Dog Park, in addition to maintaining the website, Facebook page and Twitter feeds, email communication and in-park bulletin boards. 

You may join Friends of the Lakewood Dog Park, or make a generous donation by visiting: www.LakewoodDogPark.com