Should it go near Brookside or Frank Hall Park?

Community members debated the feasibility of two possible dog park sites Tuesday evening at a community meeting at Albert Lea City Hall.

Albert Lea Parks and Recreation Department Director Jay Hutchison discussed the criteria used for evaluating possible locations for the dog park, including size, parking, location, accessibility and drainage.

He said several sites were originally named as possible sites, before the list was narrowed to Frank Hall Park, where the Albert Lea Grizzlies play, and a space near Brookside Education Center.

Albert Lea resident and doctor John Schulz discussed the importance of having a dog park to compete with local communities, including Owatonna, Austin, Rochester and Mankato.

“It’s time to do something at one of these locations,” Schulz said.

He said he liked the Brookside location because of its easy access.

Rotary Club President Sheila Schulz said dog parks are attractive to young families and could be used to bring them to the community.

She said she supported the

Brookside location because it offers wheelchair accessibility, solid terrain and a high-use location.

The Rotary Club is spearheading a campaign to raise $15,000 for the project.

Schulz said $6,600 has been raised for the dog park so far. The dog park is also in the running for a $20,000 grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation to boost attraction to the city’s downtown district and lakes, along with an idea for self-guided historic walking tours.

Results will be released Tuesday.

Albert Lea resident Amber Eastman said she supported the idea of a dog park in Albert Lea.

“I think that the city needs it,” Eastman said. “There’s a lot of dog lovers; there’s a lot of dogs.”

Albert Lea resident Donna Ward was apprehensive of the Brookside location due to what she called a lack of parking space.

Albert Lea resident Harold Kamrath questioned why Albert Lea needs a dog park and whether it was going to be used enough to justify its existence.

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board member Vern Rasmussen Sr. said the success of the dog park will depend on its upkeep.

“If a dog park is going to be successful, it’s going to depend on how the people of Albert Lea handle it,” Rasmussen said.

Albert Lea Grizzlies coaches briefly spoke and said they would rather stay at Frank Hall because of the quality of the home field, but could move if the city needs them to.

Discussion is planned before the Albert Lea City Council can approve a site for the dog park.

Hutchison said the meeting went well.

“I think we got a lot of good input on pros and cons,” Hutchison said. “I think it was good to hear from everybody.”