“Help save the Bruce Monroe Dog Run”

Photo by PoPville flickr user ken_1001

“Dear PoPville,

Uno, who was one of the dogs featured on this week’s Afternoon Animal Fix, went to his favorite dog park yesterday to find a sign that said “No dogs allowed” and a giant chain on the gates. A fellow dog owner went by yesterday and saw a representative from DC Parks and Recreation putting up the signs and locks. The representative said that he has received e-mailed complaints from Community Garden users that people are taking their dogs into the fenced-in, so-called, “Rain Garden” which is basically a drainage area for the garden. Though this is the official use, this space has been an unofficial dog park for years and seems to have had the endorsement of the garden. In fact, on the Bruce Monroe Community Garden website, there is a photo that clearly shows that the space was intended for dogs. Additionally, many of the community garden folks also have dogs and use the dog run and many have voiced their support for allowing dogs into the space. It is unclear who has really made the complaints and whether they are actually part of the garden community.

If there are any other dog owners/dog lovers/community members who wish to join our effort to save this dog run, please join our Facebook group.

We are working on writing to our representatives. The dogs and humans who come to the Bruce Monroe Dog Run have formed an awesome community and a safe place for dogs to socialize. We don’t want to lose this park!”