After One Year Open, Birmingham's Dog Park Reports a Loss

It's been one year since Birmingham opened its at the , and according to Director Lauren Wood, the feedback has been good so far despite a financial loss.

The difference in revenue and expenditures is understandable, Wood pointed out in her memo to the commission Monday night, considering that the city only began charging dog lovers to use the park six months ago.

According to Wood, the dog park reported a net loss of $10,263 since it opened in late November 2010. A report from the DPS stated that the dog park brought in $19,510 in revenue, primarily though the sale of dog park passes, or key fobs.

However, the has city spent $29,773 on the project, including $10,582 on fencing and $11,187 on maintenance costs, including trash collection and mowing. Other expenditures include installing the key fob entry system and purchasing trash bags and trash receptacles.

Since the city began selling key fobs to residents and nonresidents in late May, Wood said the DPS has sold a total of 187 passes, 122 to residents and 65 to nonresidents. Annual fees cost $50 for residents and $200 for nonresidents.

At the Monday night meeting of the Birmingham City Commission, commissioners put a one-year limit on the dog park passes, at the recomendation of Bill Wiebrecht of the city's Parks and Recreation Board.

Wood said the only complaints so far have been concerning the high price of the nonresident pass, as well as concerns that when pass-holders arrive with their dogs, there aren't enough other dogs to play with.

Wood said her department is focused on studying the success of the dog park and the key fob system during the next year. However, she assured commissioners that her department has plans to eventually address these complaints — including studying nonresident fees and finding ways to bring more dogs to the park.

Mayor Mark Nickita pointed out that these are issues that will be sorted out. "What's the right price and the amount of people will resolve itself over time," he said.

Wood said the DPS will return to the commission after another year to mark any updates to the dog park and discuss recommendations for improvement.

"The comments thus far have been positive," Wood said. "Everyone loves the park."