Community Corner

Dog Park Annual Passes Now for Sale

The park, which opened Nov. 30 but closed May 9 for improvements, is slated to reopen June 2.

Birmingham’s dog park may still be closed, but the city will begin selling key fobs for the 2011-12 season Monday.

The dog park, located at the , closed May 9 so the city could begin updating the gate-entry system and make improvements to the park, especially after heavy rain and snow melt left the ground muddy and unstable.

The dog park will reopen June 2.

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Whereas before, residents and their dogs could come and go freely, the city will now require a key fob to enter the gated area off the Lincoln Hills parking lot. The annual resident fee will be $50 (with proof of residency), and the annual nonresident fee is $200. One key fob is included with the annual fee; additional fobs may be purchased for $10 each.

City commissioners, , said the high nonresident fees are intended to discourage nonresidents from using the park and to keep the number of dogs using the park under control.

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“We really need to put a higher fee to discourage non-Birmingham residents,” Commissioner Tom McDaniel said.

Dog owners also must show vaccination records and fill out an application to receive a fob. According to Director Lauren Wood, there are currently 1,400 dogs registered in Birmingham, and only 10 dogs would be allowed in the park at a given time (depending on the season).

The dog park, which includes almost one acre of fenced-in land, after years of negotiation between area residents and the city. The dog park at the closed in 2004 after a court ruling said the park didn’t meet the deed restrictions for the property.

Key fobs may be purchased from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at the and the . The city accepts only cash and checks.


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