Video: Three Options for Golden Valley Dog Park on the Table

Finding an open space in Golden Valley for dogs to run free has proven to be a tough challenge for residents and the city council.  But with money to invest in , the Minneapolis Park Board is now getting serious about creating a dog park.

Theo Wirth falls under the park board's juristiction, but Golden Valley does have a representative on the Citizen Advisory Committee, a committee that will ultimately decide if and where a dog park will be built.

The committee is paying close attention to the nearly 2000 surveys that were completed regarding the northern part of Theo Wirth.

"To get that many completed surveys in 18 days is nothing short of amazing," Jennifer Ringold, manager of public engagement for the Minneapolis Park Board, told the CAC at this week's meeting.  "It clearly shows people care about the decisions we're making."

Nearly 25 percent of the surveys were completed by Golden Valley residents.

"I may be the only representative for people when it comes to Wirth, but with so many people coming forward, they're giving me a bigger voice," says Damon Struyk, the Golden Valley rep on the committee.

Thanks to more than $2 million from the Met Council and more than $2.6 million from the Park and Trails funding over the last two years, several improvements have already taken place at Theo Wirth.

The construction of a new path, new playground equipment and a new parking lot at Wirth Lake is underway and expected to be completed by June.

The CAC still has about $900,000 to spend and is expecting additional funding from the Met Council this year.  One project on the table for the CAC is re-purposing the par 3 golf course into new trails or even a dog park.

On Tuesday, the CAC considered the par 3 course and two other locations for a dog park (see video).  Mayor Linda Loomis attended the meeting and pointed out that one site is adjacent to the

"Wow, that seems like a no-brainer," one of the committee members said.  Several members nodded in agreement.

The only problem?  The Humane Society doesn't know about the plan.

"AHS hasn’t been approached with any information on it, and without having any knowledge of it, I’m afraid we can’t comment on it at this point," Carrie Libera, spokesperson for the Animal Humane Society said in an email to Patch.

However, Ringold says the plans are in the early stages and says it's still a good possibility that Theo Wirth could get its dog park in the next year - if the CAC recommends it.

"The board takes CAC's recommendations very seriously," says Jennifer Ringold, manager of public engagement with the Minneapolis Park Board.  "Especially when we're getting so many responses from the public."

The park board has issued a new survey for the southwest region of Theodore Wirth, and it's asking for your input once again.

"There aren't questions specifically mentioning a dog park," Struyk says, "but that's what the comment sections are for.  And if you really feel strongly one way or another, just tell me. "

Here's how you can make your voice heard:

• Email Damon Struyk directly.
• Fill out the new survey from the park board and add detailed suggestions (deadline is May 2).
• Call, email or write the Minneapolis Park Board.
• Attend public meetings of the Citizen's Advisory Committee (the next one is April 26).