Burnet Woods dog park: Board suggests rocks instead of turf

A dog park is still planned for Burnet Woods park, but it won't likely include artificial turf.

Following years of vocal opposition to the proposed 8,800-square-foot dog park – largely over plans to include turf – the Cincinnati Park Board on Thursday voted 5-0 to ask parks administrators to price some kind of aggregate rock product as an alternative to fake grass.

The board otherwise endorsed a new design to reduce the cost of the puppy playground in the 90-acre Clifton site. Most recently estimated to cost $405,000, the sole bid for the project came in at more than $566,000, largely because artificial turf cost more than twice what officials had estimated.

The new design, now at about $381,000, calls for 65% less turf and 2,400-square-feet of sod, the addition of a concrete path for accessibility, and the loss of a curb cut and handicapped parking area. Additionally, parks will save money by buying and installing benches, trash cans, trees and other features instead of ceding that work to a contractor.

In addition to asking for aggregate material instead of turf, board members told administrators not to move forward until they secure the final $81,000 they need in donations.

"We will not break ground on this project until we have the funds to move forward," said Molly North, board president.

Opponents have long argued that the dog park would harm the environment, create noise and snarl traffic, while less-vocal supporters maintained it would create community and more reasons for families to visit Burnet Woods.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Burnet Woods dog park: Board suggests rocks instead of turf