Work on proposed dog park brings community together

Cindy L. Smith

Correspondent

Dogs just want to have fun, and several Ballentine Place residents are determined to give neighborhood pets a safe and fenced-in place to romp.

Mary Babcock, who has lived in Ballentine Place for about a year, was thrilled when the city said that a site in the 2700 block of Tait Terrace could become Norfolk's 12th official dog park.

But there's a catch.

"We've got to raise all of the money to install the fence," said Babcock, who is the secretary for the Ballentine Civic League.

The league estimates that a fence will cost $10,000. But Babcock said raising that much money won't be easy.

Still, she sees a bright side.

"This dog park is a good project to help bring people in the neighborhood together," she said. "We've already received donations from adjoining civic leagues."

The dog-loving neighbors have a yard sale in the works for May 31. Meanwhile, Karen Fox Contracting of Norfolk has agreed to donate much of the labor for a fence.

For now, neighborhood residents continue to bring their dogs to play, but on a leash. By Norfolk law, the dogs must be restrained until the fence is installed.

There is another problem that Babcock and the others hope the fence will solve.

People park their cars on the potential dog park site. Fence posts have been planted, but that hasn't deterred the drivers.

"They come, eat their lunch and then throw the trash out the window," Babcock said. "Then we come and pick it all up."

The cars also have destroyed some grass, leaving muddy tire tracks behind.

But the Ballentine Place dog lovers remain undaunted. One of them is Ahnjala Hemphill, who has lived in the neighborhood 18 months.

Hemphill, who works in Chesapeake, said she would love to have a place close to home to let Monalisa, a chocolate Lab and therapy dog, burn off some energy.

She also sees another perk.

"Having a dog park right here in the neighborhood is a good way to meet neighbors," she said. "It's a chance to spend a little time with people you may never even meet."

A yard sale to raise money for a Ballentine Place dog park fence will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 31 in the 2700 block of Tait Terrace. (Rain date June 14.) For more information, send e-mail to ballentine2001@aol.com.

Cindy L. Smith,

CindyLSmith@aol.com