Despite the city's attempt to muzzle noise at the North Grandview Avenue dog park, some say the effort has had limited success.
But Dubuque's only dog park will remain near a residential area, over the objections of some neighbors irritated by what some have said is a constant flow of barking dogs.
It has been nearly seven months since the neighbors filed a petition asking the city to move the dog park. In response, more than 400 pet lovers filed their own petition to keep the park open.
"Our intent was never to close the park. Our intent was to solve the problem," said City Council member Karla Braig.
Solving the barking problem seemed to be covering the park's fence with a green screen and shortening the hours of operation from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The green, snake-like screening was erected with the idea that dogs wouldn't bark as much if they couldn't see other dogs. The noise-softening efforts, however, seem less effective than hoped.
"I've talked to neighbors and not real sure it helped," said Gil Spence, manager of Dubuque's Leisure Services Department.
The noise seems most pronounced to neighbors who reside on the ridge above the dog park. They say they just want a workable solution.
"We will be sending information about the dog park to the City Council in the fall or early winter," said Roger Ruden, a neighborhood spokesman.
If another petition is filed, the city will once again look at the barking situation and determine what is best for the whole community.
The residential location of the dog park seems to be the root of the barking dilemma.
"It's in kind of a residential area, but probably the least residential area you can get," Braig said. "I'm not saying (Ruden) is wrong about the dogs barking, but I do think there are a lot of other noises."
Dana Hinz brings her dog to the park four days per week and agrees that barking isn't the only noise. She admits her dog barks, but said it's usually in spurts and not continual.
"The street noise is definitely louder than the dog," Hinz said.
Although dog parks in residential areas are not her idea of a good location, certified master dog trainer Amy Ball said the reality is dogs bark.
"Anytime dogs play together they bark," Ball said. "It's such a normal part of play, would you really want to take it away?"
One thing nearly every individual involved seems to agree on is that Dubuque is in need of more dog parks.
"A city the size of Dubuque should have at least two or three dog parks," Ball said. "Dog parks are wonderful, if they are regulated well."
Spence said the plan has always been to bring in more dog parks to help spread the usage and lessen the amount of noise in a given area.
He said the city is looking at three sites -- on 12th Street, Terminal Street and just off of Bluff Street. Each site would have around five acres, three more than the current park.
The parks will open "when funding is available, hopefully next summer," Spence said.
Until then, people are asked to control the barking as best they can.
