Droves of dog lovers explore Bark in the Park's new territory

photo by Deborah Parkhill Mullis/Metrolina Dog Reporter

A freestyle frisbee demonstration delighted the crowd of dog lovers at 2009 Pedigree Bark in the Park event in Charlotte. Above, 7-year-old red and white border collie, Razor, jumps over her trainer's legs to catch a frisbee.

photo by Deborah Parkhill Mullis/Metrolina Dog Reporter

This amazing "feat" was part of a freestyle frisbee demonstration put on by Laura Moretz and Riot, her 5-year-old border collie, at Metrolina Expo during the 2009 Pedigree Bark in the Park event.

By Deborah Parkhill Mullis

dogreporter@hotmail.com

A record crowd of 14,500 dog lovers and some 7,000 dogs attended Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation’s 2009 Pedigree ® Bark in the Park on Saturday, April 25, an increase of 1,500 from last year and more than double the number of people from two years ago.

Bark in the Park began in the early eighties but it wasn’t until 2005 that it really caught on in the community and became a regular annual event to promote the county’s off-leash dog parks. As Bark in the Park increased in popularity, parking spaces decreased in availability forcing a move this year from William R. Davey Park to Metrolina Expo where parking is plentiful.

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation has five off-leash dog parks. Two of those parks are very convenient for Matthews and Union County residents. The first is Ray's Fetching Meadow, a one acre dog park within McAlpine Creek Park, slightly west of Matthews at 711 Monroe Road in Charlotte. The second is a five acre dog park inside William R. Davey Park. It is the largest dog park in Mecklenburg County and located slightly south of Matthews at 4635 Matthews-Pineville Road. While this dog park does not have a separate name, it does have separate sections for large and small dogs - a good idea according to dog experts.

The county’s newest dog park, Frazier Park, opened in uptown Charlotte in 2008. The other two dog parks are Swaney Pointe K-9 Park which is inside Ramsey Creek Park and Barkingham Park which is inside Reedy Creek Park. These three dog parks also have sections for small and large dogs. All the dog parks are open seven days a week from 7:30 am to sunset. Visit http://www.parkandrec.com/ for more information on Mecklenburg County Parks.

Take your pick of local dog events this spring

by Deborah Parkhill Mullis
dogreporter@hotmail.com

There’s no shortage of events for dog lovers in the Metrolina area. The Annual Union County Dog Walk is one of the first dog events held each year. Pooches and their people participate in a stroll around historic downtown Monroe in support of Union County Smart Start, an organization serving the educational, emotional and physical needs of children from birth to age five.

After the dog walk, it's time to practice canine social skills and/or participate in fun dog contests.

Pictured left: Two-year-old great Dane, Zelda, gives owner, Amy Smith, a high five after winning the amazing trick contest by weaving across the stage on command. Zelda also won Best in Show at the 2009 event. Amy and Zelda are students of dog trainer, Carol Hoyle. who works at the Monroe PetSmart.

Pictured center: Leah Boggs with papi-poo, Poppy, after Poppy won the "Face only a mother could love" contest at the 2009 event. Poppy was about to turn two, too, which was obviously a lucky number for dog contestants.

Pictured right: Leslie Adkins and her shih tzu, Bailey, won the look-alike contest at the 2009 event. Leslie said her "friends" entered her and Bailey in the contest.

Pictured above: "Batman" fights against animal abuse and neglect by giving money to Animal Adoption League's donation dog.

If you missed taking your dog to this event, don't let his tail droop because organizers Luann Van Leer and Kim Wolfe are already planning the 2nd Annual Union County Dog Walk for next spring. And there plenty more to pick from this spring ...

2009 Pedigree ® Bark in the Park is Saturday, April 25, 2009. Dog Lovers won’t want to miss this event which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A modified moniker and a move to Metrolina Expo promises to make this year's Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department’s event promoting off-leash dog parks better than ever.

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation currently has five off-leash dog parks. Two of those parks are convenient for Union County residents. The first is Ray's Fetching Meadow, a one acre dog park within McAlpine Creek Park, just west of Matthews at 711 Monroe Road in Charlotte. The second is a five acre dog park inside William R. Davey Park - the former location of Bark in the Park - and is the largest dog park in Mecklenburg County. Located just south of Matthews at 4635 Matthews-Pineville Road, this dog park does not have a separate name but it does have separate sections for large and small dogs - a good idea according to dog experts.

The newest dog park, Frazier Park, opened in uptown Charlotte in 2008. It has 1.3 acres. Swaney Pointe K-9 Park is inside Ramsey Creek Park and Barkingham Park is inside Reedy Creek Park. Both these dog parks have over two acres. All the dog parks are open seven days a week from 7:30 am to sunset.

Bark in the Park began in the early eighties but it didn’t become a regular annual event for the county until 2005. Seven thousand people accompanied by hundreds of dogs attended Bark in the Park in 2007. That number almost doubled in 2008 when 13,000 people most with dogs attended the event. (Traffic and parking were challenging in 2007 so I can only imagine what it was like in 2008 because I chose to go to the Olympic Whitewater Trials instead of Bark in the Park that year. )

Although it’s a good bit further for me to travel, I am happy that this particular event moved from Davey Park to Metrolina Expo. The new location at 7100 Statesville Road in Charlotte should make it more enjoyable for everyone from beginning to end. Admission is free as is parking which is promised to plentiful.

2nd Annual Wishes for Whiskers Golf Classic is Saturday, May 16, 2009. Dog lovers who are also golf lovers will want to sign up for this event which takes place at Glen Oaks Golf Club, 245 Golf Course Road in Maiden, NC. A donation of $75 per golfer includes 18-holes, meals, a raffle ticket for a non-cash prize and more. Proceeds benefit Animal Adoption League.

2009 Pet Palooza is Saturday, May 30, 2009. Filled with entertainment for people and pets this event benefits the Humane Society of Charlotte. This event also includes a pet walk. Walker check-in is at 8:30 a.m. and opening ceremonies begin at 9 a.m.