Ghent, unleashed: Please, fence us in

That's the plea of dogs - well, at least of their owners - who frequent the off-leash dog park in the 1300 block of Stockley Gardens.

"We don't want just any fence," said Paige Rose, who visits the park often with her four-legged pals. " We want the fence and landscaping to add to, not take away from, the beauty of the neighborhood."

Rose is president of the Ghent Dog Park Association, which was formed in April 2004 by a group of Ghent neighbors. The proposed fence would resemble a black picket fence but be made of powder-coated aluminum.

The group has garnered about half of the $50,000 needed for fencing and other improvements. Members hope to organize some fundraisers in coming months.

"This is a group of citizens working very closely with the city to improve our neighborhood," Rose said. "It's a true grass-roots effort."

The Stockley Gardens dog park is one of 11 city-sanctioned dog parks in Norfolk.

To learn more about the Ghent Dog Park Association, including how to donate, visit www.GhentDogPark.com.

Locate Norfolk's 11 dog parks at www.norfolk.gov/RPOS/DogParks.asp.

Cindy L. Smith,

CindyLSmith26@aol.com