Authorities Seek Solutions After Future Of Runway Dog Park Questioned

OAK CREEK, WI — Authorities say they are working toward a solution after questions have arisen about the continued operation of Runway Dog Exercise Area on Mitchell Airport land in Oak Creek.

The park, located at 1214 Rawson Avenue, opened in 2005 under an agreement between Mitchell Airport and Milwaukee County Parks, a spokesperson for the airport told CBS 58. But a letter obtained by the television station signed by the MKE Airport Team says the dog park is not an allowed use of their property under an agreement they have with the FAA, so the dog exercise area must come to a close.

That letter was dated April 1. It says "airport staff desires to continue collaborating with Parks staff to establish a transition plan that will relocate to another non‐airport site."

Exactly where the park may be relocated to does not yet seem to be set in stone.

"The FAA is aware of the park located under a flight path on Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport property that is being used for non-aeronautical purposes. We are willing to work with the airport as they determine how to accommodate the park patrons," an FAA spokesperson told Patch over email Wednesday.

County Parks and Airport authorities also say they are working toward a solution.

"Milwaukee County, Mitchell Airport, and Milwaukee County Parks are dedicated to providing amenities and services to all of our residents and visitors (including the four-legged kind). These are ongoing discussions, and all three agencies are working collaboratively to seek solutions and to ensure compliance with the FAA," reads a joint statement from Parks and Mitchell sent to Patch.

The possibility of the park closing has caused a stir among those who regularly use it. Several park patrons recently spoke to CBS 58.

"I think it shouldn't matter and we should keep the dog park," Tabitha Neary told the television station.

The possibility of the park closing comes as the master plan for Mitchell Airport is undergoing revisions. One long-range plan calls for new cargo and maintenance facilities on airport land just north of the dog park — it would be located on the Milwaukee Regional Business Park, just off of Howell Avenue.