South Savage could soon be home to a new pooch paradise. On Tuesday, the city's park board OK'd plans for a dog park at the Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve, a tract of protected land straddling the borders of Lakeville, Burnsville and Savage.
If the proposal is successful, the 3.5 acre park will go in next to the parking lot at the trail head on Murphy Lake Road.
Savage City Administrator Barry Stock told the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Commission that the Murphy-Hanrehan project was inspired by the runaway success of the city's first dog park on the north side of town, near Highway 13 and and Xenwood Avenue. The existing dog park is a relatively simple affair—just some fencing and a trash can for pet waste. Pet parents must bring their own water. It is free to users.
The proposed park at Murphy-Hanrehan would be bigger, better equipped and, accordingly, far more expensive. The total projected cost is over $120,000, to be split between Savage, Scott County and the Three Rivers Park District, which owns and maintains the reserve. About $66,000 of the total would go toward park infrastructure (fencing, drinking fountain, concrete walk pads, and a pay kiosk). An additional $60,000 is needed to pave the road and a bituminous trail running nearby.
The county and Three Rivers have agreed to pay for improvements to the dog park itself, while the city would be on the hook for the road. Stock said the road construction could be easily folded into an expansion of 154th Street, which is already in the works.
Users would also have to pony up once the park is complete. A fee would be required to access the dog park—$5 a day or $35 for a year pass.
The motion passed unanimously.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
