New location proposed for Lehighton dog park

A new location for a dog park has been proposed for Lehighton’s consideration.

Jessica Mabus, of Girl Scout Troop 329, told borough council on Monday she was there in search of support for a dog park.

Initially, the tentative location of the park was the grass area next to the Lehighton Recreation Center on South Eighth Street.

However, Mabus told council on Monday that she would now like to create the park at Skyline Park along North Third Street.

“It’s still somewhat close to town,” Mabus said.

Councilman Ryan Saunders said he was in favor of that location.

“I like the idea of Skyline Park,” Saunders said. “I think we should send letters around to the residents of that area.”

Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky said the idea has already been broached.

“She has a committee of eight to nine people willing to work with her,” Abelovsky said. “(They) spoke to the closest neighbor to Skyline Park, and he didn’t seem to have a problem with it.”

The matter will next be discussed at a meeting of the Lehighton Dog Park Association at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Lehighton Municipal Building.

In March, council heard from Mabus, who said she would like to create the park as her Gold Award Project for Girl Scouts, which is the equivalent to the Boy Scouts Eagle Scout Project.

As for the actual design, it would be one large dog park and one small dog park.

The mission of the Lehighton Borough Dog Park Association is to organize the establishment of a dog park in the borough; provide adequate areas, boundaries and supplies for a community dog park; and encourage participation from volunteers to maintain a community dog park within the borough.

The park is intended to provide a safe and secure environment where owners may exercise and train their dogs, providing effective socialization opportunities for people and their dogs, as well as enhancing positive interaction between dog owners and the community.

Mabus is still in the process of applying for grants for a dog park, and the grants would need to be submitted through the borough.

An indoor garage sale fundraiser will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Lehighton Recreation Center. Anyone interested in reserving a table may contact 916-671-2371.

Borough officials last September debated putting an end to its dogs prohibited in parks and playgrounds ordinance.

At that time, council on a 4-3 vote agreed to advertise an ordinance to abolish the current borough ordinance pertaining to dogs prohibited in parks and playgrounds.

No other action has been taken on the ordinance since council’s vote last September.

This isn’t the first time a park has been proposed for Skyline Park.

In December 2016, council heard a proposal from “On the Grind” Association about creating a skate park at Skyline Park.