Jacksonville proposing dog park

The Jacksonville planning commission approved a plan Thursday to establish the city’s first dog park.

Before the plan can be initiated, it must be approved by the Jacksonville City Council, which could vote on the matter as early as Monday.  Council President Mark Jones, who is also a member of the planning commission, said Thursday he is in favor of establishing the park.

If the concept proves popular with Jacksonville dog owners, Jones said, the park could be moved to a more central location later.

Janis Burns, director of the Parks and Recreation department, previously raised the possibility of establishing more than one dog park.

Dog parks are enclosed, public spaces where dogs can run free of their leashes while their owners look on. Many have water stations and large tunnels and ramps for the pets to run through or leap over.

The one planned for Germania Springs would include a fence, a water station, a waste station and a few toys for the pets.