Politics & Government

Braddock Dogs Seeks to Formalize Burke Dog Park Plans

Group to approve by-laws, elect board and submit memo of intent to Fairfax County.

Braddock Dogs, a group hoping to make an off-leash dog park a reality in Burke, is scheduled to meet next Monday at 7:30 p.m. in the Braddock District Offices to elect a board of directors, formally approve by-laws, and submit a letter of intent to sponsor a dog park as part of the Fairfax County Park Authority's (FCPA) master plan for Monticello Park.

"There needs to be an organization in place to take responsibility for the dog park before the county will build it," said Braddock Dogs organizer Russ Rosen.  Rosen said at least 10 to 15 people are needed at the meeting to formalize the group, and he is asking residents interested in a dog park at Monticello Park to join him in Braddock Hall in the .

Braddock Dogs would be responsible for raising $50,000 toward the dog park.  "After that, sustainability will be our primary function," said Rosen. "The group will be responsible to keep the dog park clean, enforce the rules, and identify any problems with people or dogs," he said.  The group's ongoing financial commitment would only be supplying the bags for waste disposal.

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Park Planning Status

In 2011, the FCPA initiated a series of community meetings to help develop the Monticello Park Master Plan . In addition, Braddock District Supervisor John Cook's office sponsored meetings with representatives from the communities surrounding the park to review the needs, issues and concerns of the residents.

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An off-leash dog park was submitted as a potential use at the site by a sponsor group—Braddock Dogs.

The Park Site

Monticello Park is a 6.2-acre undeveloped open space on Guinea Road between the intersections of Burke Road and Bronte Drive in the Braddock Supervisory District. The park currently consists primarily of a large lawn area. The master plan for the park includes space for an off-leash dog area, as well as a play area for children and a skate park, park authority officials said.

Funding the Future Park

Once the Park Authority Board approves the Master Plan, implementation may be funded through various capital funding sources, such as sponsorships, partnerships and/or the 2012 bond referendum or future year park bond referendums, according to the FCPA. There is no current funding for development of Monticello Park, so no determination has been made as to when improvements will be implemented.

For more information about Braddock Dogs, contact Russ Rosen at braddockdogs@gmail.com


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