Princeton Dog Park Alliance Starts Campaign For Community Support

PRINCETON, NJ — The Princeton Dog Park Alliance, a group working to create a dog park in the Municipality recently updated its website and is inviting more community participation.

In November last year, the Alliance made a presentation to Council emphasizing the overall benefits of dog parks. Council members expressed their support for the proposal.

“We are collaborating with the municipality of Princeton to create a public-private partnership to develop one or more dog parks,” said Calvin Chin, chair of the Dog Park Alliance’s board of trustees. “We have formed a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and are soliciting funds from the public to help create and maintain controlled facilities for owners and their dogs,” he said.

The updated website of the Princeton Dog Park Alliance provides information and updates on the proposal. The group has so far raised over $2000 for their efforts.

“We want to work cooperatively with the municipality and its many dog owners,” Chin said. “We envision the municipality designating public land for use by the group, and providing support with the parks’ infrastructure. The Dog Park Alliance will be responsible for operations and some upkeep and maintenance.”

Back in August 2019, a Dog Park Task Force was formed which was led by Councilwoman Mia Sacks. The task force explored options for potential sites for a dog park and examined the various logistical issues involving operation and construction.

Then in mid-September last year, a petition began circulating on Change.org which called for off-leash hours for dogs in public parks. The petition has garnered 351 signatures.

Community members also met with Councilwomen Mia Sacks and Letitia Fraga to express their support for a dog park. Read More: Will Princeton Get A New Dog Park? Council To Discuss Monday

According to the presentation the group made to Council last year, a large dog park or smaller neighborhood dogs parks are being proposed. The dog park task force has also identified various parcels of land for this purpose.