New off-leash recreation area to open in Camden
11/01/2009
At its October 7 board meeting The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) approved plans for creating a new Off-leash Recreation Area (OLRA) in the Victory neighborhood.
The new dog park will be located along 47th Ave. N., between Osseo Rd. and Russell Ave. N., commonly referred to as Victory Prairie. Just over an acre in size, the fenced-in OLRA will occupy the east side of Victory Prairie near Russell and Sheridan Aves. Other improvements to the area will include new seating.
The nine-acre Victory Prairie site is owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway's Soo Line Railroad Company, but the MPRB has long held a permanent easement to the property for recreational purposes, and for several years has maintained a native prairie garden and walking paths at the site.
Planned to open in spring of 2010, the OLRA will be the sixth dog park for the park system. Given the popularity of OLRAs, the availability of the location, and the call for more recreational amenities in North Minneapolis outlined in the MPRB's Comprehensive Plan, the new dog park provides a unique opportunity to meet the growing needs of area residents, dog owners and other park users.
Dog parks have been an overwhelming success, and there's a demand for more. The Park Board worked with the Victory neighborhood to bring this dog park to Camden and the board is planning to work with the McKinley neighborhood on the possibility of adding a dog park in their neighborhood as well.
OLRAs are specially designed fenced-in areas where dog owners can let their dogs off leash to run freely and interact with other dogs. Permits are required to use OLRAs, with fees going toward maintenance and Park Police patrols of the areas. For info about OLRAs visit www.minneapolisparks.org - Parks & Lakes - Off Leash Recreation Areas, or call 612-230-6400.