In a transformational endeavor, the once tranquil strips of land flanking the Union Pacific train tracks are set to resonate with a new chorus — the joyous barks of furry companions. Downtown Arlington Management Corp. is spearheading the development of a new off-leash dog park on South Mesquite Street, a venture tailored to meet the burgeoning needs of the city’s pet-loving community.
As the custodian of this initiative, the Arlington-based nonprofit is overseeing both the fundraising and construction aspects of the project. Commencing in the fiscal year of 2025, the baton of maintenance will be passed to the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.
The envisioned park is poised to offer a suite of amenities designed to cater to both residents and their four-legged companions. Among these offerings are dog-friendly water fountains, specialized turf, delineated zones for small and large breeds to roam off-leash, and an agility course.
For the human counterparts, the park will feature an array of conveniences including benches, a pergola, ambient lamp lighting, and meticulously landscaped surroundings. Given its adjacency to the railway tracks, the park will be fully enclosed for safety and peace of mind.
A mosaic of funding sources has converged to breathe life into this community-driven project. Notably, a $75,000 Community Placemaking Grant from Project for Public Spaces, buoyed by support from General Motors, has been instrumental in bridging gaps in access to well-maintained public spaces. Additionally, the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, fueled by the city’s natural gas drilling resources, has pledged a generous $100,000 donation toward the cause. Remaining funds are being raised through private contributions and a buy-a-brick initiative, affording community members the opportunity to leave a lasting imprint within the park.
Maggie Campbell, President and CEO of Downtown Arlington Management Corp., underscored the strategic significance of the park’s location, situated in close proximity to the downtown core. She articulated, “There are hundreds of residents that live within one block, two blocks of this vacant piece of green grass. It’s inviting enough even without lighting or fencing that hundreds of people use it to walk their dogs every day.”
With a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony marking the inception of construction efforts, Downtown Arlington rallied residents, civic leaders, and their furry companions to commemorate this pivotal moment. Garret Martin, Director of Communications and Placemaking for Downtown Arlington Management Corp., shared a heartfelt anecdote underscoring the deeply-rooted community aspirations driving the project forward.
Highlighting the symbiotic relationship between the park’s creation and the aspirations of the local student populace, Martin remarked, “I believe that by investing in the interests of the UTA student population, those students will continue to invest in Arlington and see it as a place where they can call home after graduation.”
Campbell echoed this sentiment, envisioning the park as a vibrant hub for social interaction and community bonding. “This place, the Doggie Depot, is yet another small but powerful change that’s transforming our original downtown area into the dynamic place-based experience that’s taking shape all around us,” she proclaimed.
Looking ahead, Campbell outlined the project’s roadmap, which entails finalizing legal agreements for review by the city council, followed by the enlistment of a general contractor to orchestrate the assembly of vendors. The ambitious timeline aims for the park’s substantial completion by late September or early October, with groundwork anticipated to commence before the end of June.
Emphasizing the pivotal role of the dog park in fostering downtown’s vibrancy, Campbell affirmed, “We want downtown to be the place where people look for those kinds of social connections.”
As the Doggie Depot takes shape, it stands not only as a testament to Arlington’s growth trajectory but also as a testament to the community’s unwavering commitment to nurturing spaces that enrich the lives of both two-legged and four-legged denizens alike.
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