Dog lovers city-round may now rejoice for the ultimate upgrade: a brand-new $1.5 million dog park in the Buffalo Bayou area.
This comes as a much-anticipated addition to the renovations Buffalo Bayou Park has been undergoing in the Shepherd to Sabine project. With fresh concrete gracing the Sandy Reed Trail along Memorial Drive, the Buffalo Bayou Partnership is now dedicated to the construction of the canine kingdom, which began on Jan. 27th.
Anne Olsen, president of the Buffalo Bayou Partnership, told Tyler Ruduck of Culture Map that the park’s architects “worked closely with dog lovers in the area to make sure this will be a great spot.”
Dubbing it the “official city dog park,” Buffalo Bayou plans to utilize the already-makeshift park, two acres of grassy land, which is popular with nearby residents. What they and their pooches have to look forward to are two shaded and cleansed dog ponds, efficient dog-washing centers and plenty of structures for sun-beaten owners, among other features. In an interview with the Houston Chronicle’s Heather Alexander, Olsen said, “we think it’s going to be a great addition.”
The restoration of trees and native grasses, brand new hiking trails, pedestrian bridges and picnic spots are also a part of the $58 million project to transform Buffalo Bayou, which the park’s webpage boasts is “likened to Houston’s own Central Park.” The dog park, located at Allen Parkway and Montrose Boulevard, is scheduled to be finished this fall with its advocates quite thrilled. Not only will this provide a safer area for their dogs to roam, but owners will now have access to additional parking to enjoy the benefits of the Bayou themselves.
“It will be very popular,” Olsen said.
As the owner of a Shih Tzu-Yorkie with an odd affinity for sunbathing in the grass, this is a welcome escape for us. Not only will the new developments encourage dogs to interact, but owners as well. What once was considered a pet playground will now transform into a family-friendly experience for dog owners citywide. UH students could also benefit from the fun later on in the school year.
Freshman Kaitlin Trahan said her dog, Fluppy, would love the new park. “He’s always happiest when we go to dog parks. He’s very social with the other dogs, and he loves his Frisbee.”
For UH dog owners, this could be a great place to escape to on weekends for study breaks or simply to meet friends’ dogs you’ve only seen on their iPhone screensavers.
“It sounds like the perfect park,” Trahan said.
The Shepherd to Sabine project also offers a volunteer program for those who wish to get involved in the community of Buffalo Bayou. “Bayou beautification” involves landscaping the hike and bike trails as well as the green spaces. Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s Green Team is an individual and group program to help out in the Bayou area, their latest venture being the Japhet Creek Restoration Project. But if time does not afford you the ability to volunteer, the construction of the dog park is now underway, and Buffalo Bayou boasts many evolving attractions to enjoy.
As buffalobayoupark.org states, “on any given day, dogs and their owners will be converging in the large open meadow.”
Opinion columnist Alex Meyer is a creative writing freshman and may be reached at [email protected]
I believe this article was written by Alex Meyer!