Dog park vs. community garden in the District

WASHINGTON -- Can a community garden and a dog park co-exist in D.C.? And, should the community pay for places for pups to play when the District is in the midst of a financial crisis?

"My concern is truly the loss of that open, green space," says Linda Blount Berry with the Newark Street Community Garden about plans for an 11,000-square-foot dog run planned for a swath of green behind the gardens.

Berry says she isn't a Not In My Backyard-type. She's actually a dog-lover.

"We've had dogs all our life. Just recently our most recent dog passed away."

But she's worried about the health and environmental concerns that come with putting lots of dogs next to where people grow their greens.

"Three hundred dogs will use that park. That's a lot of pet waste."

Community groups also have raised concerns about the city using funds to design and construct dog parks as other services, such as libraries, are reduced.

A community meeting on the design of the dog park will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Second District Police Station on the corner of Idaho Avenue and Newark Street NW.

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