According to the Metro Parks 2018 Strategic Plan, Franklin Park by definition is a Community Park that in many people’s opinion should include the amenity of an off-leash dog area. I have met with park officials, made a presentation to the board, sent many emails and left numerous voice mails with NO RESULTS. 

I was told that a dog park in Central Tacoma was a very high priority and the money is available. That was a YEAR ago and nothing has been done. This is unacceptable. Now I need you. Please take a look at what I presented the Metro Parks Board over a year ago. 

GOALS

1. - To establish a fenced in, off-leash dog park in CENTRAL TACOMA where well-behaved canine citizens can exercise in a clean, safe environment without endangering or annoying people, property or wildlife.

2. - To develop a beautiful, well-maintained space open to all dog lovers and friends who are willing to uphold the park's rules and regulations.

3. - To view this park as a community project, in partnership with the Metro Parks and the City of Tacoma, designed to satisfy the needs of dog-owners and non-dog owners alike.

The reasons we have chosen Franklin Park as the perfect option for a new off-leash dog area in Tacoma is need, location (CENTRAL TACOMA), parking and availability.

NEED

There are only three official dog parks in Tacoma - Point Defiance in the NORTH End of the city (not completely fenced),  Wapato Park in the SOUTH End of the city and Rogers Dog Park on the EAST side (personally, I had never heard of this one until recently). There are two more outside the city limits – Chambers Bay and Fort Steilacoom, both on Westside.

With a population of over 200,000 people, we believe that the City of Tacoma is being underserved when it comes to access to off-leash dog parks.

Many of us in the Central neighborhood currently utilize Franklin Elementary School’s play field area after hours and on weekends because it is mostly fenced and there is plenty of room to roam and play. Sadly, some people do not pick-up after their dogs or notice them digging holes which can be dangerous for all using the field. There is also a neighbor that has threatened to poison our dogs, takes photos of our license plates and uses aggressive language which is unacceptable behavior at a public school.

Putting a fenced dog park just up the hill would keep most people from using the Franklin Elementary play field as a pseudo off-leash park. The school field is actually listed on Google as a dog park.

I have started a Facebook page called Central Tacoma Off-Leash Dog Park. Please take a look. It will show you the normal daily activity of pet owners visiting the Franklin play field. 

Please sign and share! We hope your interest in this project will push Metro Parks a bit faster in establishing something we desperately need in Central Tacoma. Thank you!