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  1. Why is the city building dog parks?
  2. Will the pond be fenced off?
  3. Are there any breed restrictions in the park?
  4. When will there be a small dog area / isolated pond access?
  5. Where are the waste bag dispensers?
  6. Why shouldn't I give treats to other people's dogs?
  7. Why can't my dog wear a choke chain/prong collar/studded collar in the park?
  8. How do I submit my dog's photo for the website?
  9. Why does my ad keep getting taken off the park bulletin board?
  10. Can we get advance notice of when the park will be closed for mowing?
  11. Are the water bowls disinfected regularly?
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1.: The rules for dogs in city parks are changing.  The new rules will require dogs to be on-leash at all times except in designated areas.  The city is building an off-leash area into 4 existing parks, one in each quadrant of Columbus.  The Big Walnut Dog Park is the dog park on the east side.  Big Run will be the west side park, Three Creeks will be on the south side and the north side park is still undecided.
Here are the new rules from Columbus Recreation and Parks:
 
Pets Controlled in City Parks and Recreation Facilities

No person shall bring into a park any animals except domestic dogs or cats,
which are permitted only in areas designated by the Executive Director. Said
pets shall be under direct control, verbal and sight, at all times and on a
leash.  Pets on leash may not contact people or dogs not welcoming contact.
The Executive Director may approve times of the day and areas in a park
where domestic dogs are permitted off leash, provided that the dog is under
direct control, verbal and sight, at all times.  Pet owners shall clean up
any feces generated by their pet in the park and shall properly dispose of
the feces in a receptacle provided for such purpose.  No pet, with the
exception of a dog guiding a visually impaired person or for other approved
therapeutic purpose is permitted in a recreation center, cultural arts
center, sports complex, enclosed park shelter or administrative building
without the approval of the Executive Director.*

*We will not enact this Administrative Rule until all four dog parks have been completed.  Exactly one month after the opening of the last one, this rule will go into effect. 

2.  The pond is now closed for the season.  We are hoping to permanently isolate pond access when finalizing fencing plans.  
3.  No, we only consider the dog's behavior not their appearance.  Rather than ban select breeds, aggressive dogs of any breed are not allowed.  Not all dogs do well in a dog park.  Owners are required to supervise their dogs and remove them at the first sign of aggressive behavior.
4.  The Columbus Recreation and Parks department has committed to funding the fencing for the south shoreline.  The park Ambassadors (volunteer group) are trying to raise enough funds to create separate small dog and water dog areas to make the park even safer.  Our portion of the cost will be $8500. We expect construction to begin in spring 2008.
You can download a fence sponsorship form from the home page.  Your support will be appreciated!!
5.  The park was provided only one actual waste bag dispenser (on the boardwalk near the main gate).   There are also black holders on each side of fencing that hold grocery bags that can be used for pick up.  We are hoping to install more dispensers inside the park as soon as possible.
 
6.  Many dogs are on restricted diets for medical reasons.  You should never feed anything to another person's dog without permission, as it may be dangerous for that dog to eat it.
  
7.  Choke chains, prong collars and studded collars are prohibited in the dog park for safety reasons.  There have been multiple instances of dog deaths specifically due to choke chains (see story on park bulletin board for an example).  Even if you think YOUR dog would be safe with one on, they are dangerous to other dogs in the park.  Please help keep the park safe for everyone by removing these collars before entering the dog area.
  
8.  You may submit your photo to pics@bigwalnutdogpark.com.  Please send the file as an attachment, preferably in jpg format, and include your dog's name.
  
9.  The bulletin board at the park is not for general commercial purposes.  We do not accept 'free to good home' ads or commercial advertisements unless the business is a dog park sponsor.  Lost and Found ads are allowed.
  
10.  The maintenance staff has informed us that there is no set schedule for mowing.  The decision is made that same morning so they cannot give us advance notice.
  
11.  The water bowls are wiped down each week and disinfected in a safe bleach solution once a month by volunteers.
  
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Send questions to:
admin@bigwalnutdogpark.com