After a ribbon cutting on July 6, 2013, Woodstock’s first off leash Dog Park is officially open. Named Woofstock Park and located at 150 Dupree Rd., the park is very centrally located and convenient to both Towne Lake and downtown Woodstock.
The initial phase of the park includes two off leash play areas, one is for smaller dogs under 30 pounds, while the other is for larger dogs. Both areas contain a deck area for play and relaxation, water fountains with an upper level for humans and lower level for our canine friends. Both areas are similar in size, and the play areas are covered in mulch. Multiple pet waste stations are located throughout the park, so please pick up after your pet!
Elements of the park still under development, will include permanent restroom facilities and a trailhead leading to the Downtown Spur/Noonday Creek Trails, part of the Woodstock Greenprints Alliance Trails initiative. In addition, there are plans for a community garden with 42 plots measuring 20 by 20 feet.
The city of Woodstock acquired the property, which was the former site of the Walden Chase apartment complex that was destroyed by flooding in 2009, with a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and a portion was also used to demolish the apartment complex. Funding of approximately $200,000 for park construction was supplied by the city’s portion of the Cherokee County parks bond.
Because of the restrictions for the property as stipulated by the FEMA grant, the design of Woofstock Park includes elements that insure the ability of water to drain from the property and reduce the effects from future flooding. This includes the placement of fencing, shade structures and the restroom facility outside of the floodway. The existing asphalt parking lots were removed and replaced with a gravel surface to insure drainage during rains and future flooding, per FEMA requirements. The large green space on the east end of the park is located directly in the floodway and can’t include any structure or other obstruction that may impede the flow of water during flood events. Instead of sidewalks, boardwalks are utilized to optimize drainage. As a result of these design elements, the length of time that the park will be closed following a flood will be minimized.
To keep up with news from Woofstock Park, “Like” its Facebook page at Facebook.com/woofstock
click on any picture for a larger version
Leave a Reply