Private South Richmond dog park will become public to avoid closure
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Phideaux Field is at 4401 Forest Hill Ave. and open until sunset daily. Photo: Karri Peifer/Axios
South Richmond will soon have its first official dog park: Phideaux Field, currently a private dog park run by, and in front of, Forest Hill Presbyterian Church.
Why it matters: It'll bring the total number of public dog parks in the city to four. That could help boost the city's ParkScore, an annual measure of cities' park systems by the Trust for Public Land nonprofit.
The big picture: Phideaux Field, a small fenced-in area where off-leash dogs can play on Forest Hill Avenue, was in danger of closing due to rising insurance costs for the church, City Council President Kristen Nye tells Axios.
- They asked if the city could help, and officials and the parks department were happy to answer the call, especially since the city's latest Parkscore identified a need for more dog parks (and splash pads and playgrounds).
- "It was a unique opportunity to have a long-term lease on a dog park" without trying to find vacant land within the city's 63 square miles, Nye says.
Plus, the church has long been a great community partner, Nye says, noting that in addition to the dog park, it offers a public meditation garden, free food pantry, serves as a polling place and allows neighborhood association meetings.
Fun fact: Nearly 40% of Richmond-area households have a dog, per census data.
- That's around 215,000 RVA pups.
Details: The city will lease Phideaux Field from the church for 10 years to start, per the lease. There's no cost to the city other than adding the park to its insurance policy at "nominal cost," per Nye.
- The church will continue to cover park maintenance and amenities its always offered at the park, like water bowls and poop bags.
What's next: Council approved the lease at its meeting Monday night, it should be signed this week or next.