Glens Falls, the only location outside New York City to ever host the Puppy Bowl (Feb. 7, 2021), has a little catching up to do when it comes to the quality of life of its canines and their owners. While there are a number of public spaces to take leashed dogs (and some popular places you can’t such as the Warren County Bikeway and, in the winter, Cole Woods), there is no place to let dogs run safely unleashed. Dog parks have become ubiquitous in communities identified as best places to live; the Trust for Public Land reports that it is one of the fastest growing amenities in the 100 largest U.S. cities (344 percent growth from 2009-19). Dog parks not only provide outlets for dogs to exercise and interact, they provide opportunities for pet owners to socialize as well.

Locally, the nearest dog parks are in Lake George and Saratoga Spa State Park. It is time Glens Falls join those communities. A Glens Falls-based business, Craft on Wheels, has started this petition to identify local interest in a dog park and developed a Facebook page - www.facebook.com/groups/dacksdogpark - where folks can voice their support and share ideas. Once we work with the community to identify a location we will begin fund-raising.

Dog adoption is focus of attention for the Puppy Bowl. But it is just the first step. Communities should provide resources for its citizens to improve the physical and social health of their dogs. Please join us in this effort.