Living Here Guide 2009
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Monday, Sep. 14, 2009

Take a walk in the (dog) park

By Larry Sprinkle - NewsChannel 36 Weather Anchor
GUUM9I87.3

Sprinkle

I've lived and worked in the Charlotte area for more than 30 years. I've had the opportunity to work with the Humane Society of Charlotte and the animal shelter at Charlotte Mecklenburg Animal Control.

Every Tuesday on our midday show and Saturday morning on News Channel 36, we have a segment called the “Tailwagger.” We feature a homeless animal that's up for adoption. Because of the kind people in this community, our adoption rate has been close to 100 percent for over 20 years.

If you're a newcomer to Charlotte and a pet lover, you've found the perfect combination: a beautiful city with a lot of room for dogs and their owners to exercise. There is one caveat, however – dogs have to be on a leash. With all the beautiful tree-lined streets, you'll find miles of territory to cover within the city limits.

Remember to be courteous and take a “doggie waste bag.” They're not only biodegradable, but you can find some on-line that are flushable.

To give your dog some freedom to run and play, here are five dog parks:

Barkingham Park at Reedy Creek Park - A four-acre fenced-in park with grass meadows and a wooded area. 2900 Rocky River Road, Charlotte.

Ray's Fetching Meadow at McAlpine Park – A one-acre fenced-in dog park about six miles from uptown Charlotte. You'll see the dog area as you walk into the park. 8711 Monroe Road, Charlotte.

Davie Dog Park at William R. Davie District Park - You'll find a five-acre off-leash area for dogs that's completely fenced-in. There are two sections, one for large dogs and the other for dogs less than 20 pounds. 4635 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte.

Frazier Dog Park at Frazier Park - If you live in or near center city, this is convenient. It has sections for small and large dogs, plus a public water supply for doggie drinks. I-77 near West Trade and Sycamore streets.

Swaney Pointe K-9 Park at Ramsey Creek Park - Just off I-77 in Cornelius, this park features a four-acre, fenced-in, off-leash area for dogs. There are two secure sections, one for dogs over 20 pounds and another for dogs less than 20 pounds. 18441 Nantz Road, Cornelius.

Wake up with Larry Sprinkle on NewsChannel 36 at 5 a.m.

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