The Dog Grounds off-leash play area in the Loring neighborhood is now OPEN! It is located in the north corner of Loring Park between the Minneapolis Community Technical College and the Loring Park businesses. It was a long, thin piece of grass and trees with a gentle slope on the vacated Harmon Place right-of-way before the site was cleared for construction. The Historic Ole Bull statue overlooks close by.
This play area, which feels like a sculpture garden inside, features "The Bridge to Erehwon" for playing, and limestone boulders sized and placed throughout the park for people to sit on and dogs to climb on. The fence is a black, ornamental, commercial-grade aluminum, the ground cover is a crushed limestone material and there are plenty of pick-up bags and garbage cans.
The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board owns the property and approved the project in February 2007. Shortly after, MPRB Staff signed a 10-year lease and operational agreement over the land with members of Dog Grounds' Board of Directors.
We hope to see you all there soon!
This group is made up of residents, workers, business owners, and property owners in the Loring neighborhood that have an interest in the off-leash play area - dog owner or not. They work with Citizens for a Loring Park Community, Friends of Loring Park, and the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board.
Click here to create a new account or login and join the Loring Park Dog Owner Group by editing the contact information in your Account Profile.
Friends of Loring Park is celebrating its Tenth Anniversary on October 6, 2007 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The festivities will commence with a DOG PARADE at 1:15 starting at the Central Park Building and winding up at the new Loring Park Dog Grounds where your dog can run around with the friends they make during the walk! Come march with your neighbors and their pooches in the parade to celebrate Loring Park and the new off-leash play area.
What: The new downtown Minneapolis ‘Dog Grounds’ off-leash play area for dogs is set to unveil a piece of custom made artwork.
When: Wednesday, October 3, 2007 at 5:00 p.m.
Where: North corner of Loring Park next to the Minneapolis Community Technical College.
More: The artwork being unveiled is a 16 ft. tall, 800 lb., wood-carved totem pole, custom designed by renowned canine artist, Bill Blaxley, sculpted by world champion chainsaw sculptor, Dennis Roghair, and commissioned by Ray Harris, a Loring resident and downtown developer.
Dog Grounds is a privately funded, state-of-the-art dog park, particularly for residents of downtown Minneapolis. There are also limestone boulders sized and placed for seating throughout the compounds of the fence, which is a black, ornamental, commercial-grade aluminum. The new 10,000 sq. ft. play area is similar in size to dog runs in New York City, where dog ownership and urban density are some of the highest in the country, and enhanced by these beautiful artistic features.
All dogs and their owners are invited to celebrate with us at the Grand Opening of the Loring Park Off-Leash Play Area on Wednesday, June 27th at 4:30 pm! There will be a ribbon cutting, games and treats for you and your dog(s) to enjoy.
Construction of the Loring Park Off-Leash Play Area is set to begin on Monday, May 21st and Dog Grounds would like to celebrate with you at a Ground Breaking Ceremony this Thursday, May 17th at 6:00 pm on the site! If you are able to stop home after work, please bring along the true benefactors of our efforts - Fido and Friends - for a photo opportunity!
Thank you again to all of our donors, sponsors and champion supporters! We could not have gotten this far without you! Stay tuned for details about the Grand Opening in mid June.
Dog lovers from all different parts of the Twin Cities descended upon Joe's Garage on Thursday, April 19th, to celebrate everyone's hard work over the past year to make Dog Grounds so close to a reality. The beautiful weather that evening on Joe's roof-top patio helped secure a GREAT turnout! All of our supporters and generous donors were responsible for Dog Grounds raising about $10,000 at the event from admission, the silent auction, and individual donations! On behalf of all the dogs that will play in these areas - Arf! - THANK YOU!!!
The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board's Planning Committee recommended Full Board Approval of the Dog Grounds project in Loring Park on January 17th by unanimous vote. They amended the park's Master Plan to allow for an off-leash dog area, instructed their staff to draft a 10-year operational agreement, and sent the issue to the Full Board where it passed on February 7th. It was Dog Grounds' second attempt at gaining support for the project with Planning Committee members. The proposal had been denied on December 6th, but a flawless presentation by Council Member Lisa Goodman helped secure the approval.
Our next steps will be to finalize the site plan, submit them for final approval, FUNDRAISE, get bids for the construction work, build the play area, and enjoy our efforts.
Congratulations to everyone who attended the meeting, sent emails, voice mails, and letters in support of the project. Thank you for all of your time, energy and contributions!
