Dog Park Fight Continues

The $280,000 dog park that's supposed to be built on the south end of Clyde Fant parkway may not become a reality until after November 2014--when Mayor Glover leaves office. Those for the park say it spurs development but the mayor says, the city has bigger issues at hand.

There may be a fundraiser for the dog park planned for Friday, but construction of the park remains stalled thanks to a continued stalemate between Mayor Cedric Glover and the city council. Dog park organizers, who will stage a "Throw Me a Bone'' Fundraiser at Mojo's Nightclub Downtown, say building the park has been on the city's to do list for years. Now, thanks to funds allocated last year by the Red River Waterway Commission specifically for the dog park, supporters say it's time to start building. But Mayor Glover has said the city has more important priorities for the riverfront than a dog park such as a pavilion at Riverview Park and restrooms. The council approved creation of the park. The mayor vetoed it and the city council then overrode the mayors veto but still that leaves the park nowhere closer to becoming a reality. Supporters of the park say someone should sue.

Jeff Everson is a City Council member. He said, "It's not clear whether the city council is the appropriate party to take those actions, I don't know that we have the legal standing to do that so it's a concern that has to be addressed."

Mayor Glover has said in a meeting concerning the issue that he would not live in a city with a world class dog park and third world streets. So now supporters of the dog park--and not the city council-- are considering a lawsuit to get the dog park here in Shreveport because the mayor won't budge on the issue.