City Manager: Money for Potential New Dog Park Not In Budget

It would cost the City of Stone Mountain just over $4,500 a year to use a small area of land owned by MARTA that some city council members have been eyeing for a new dog park location.

During Monday's council work session, city manager Barry Amos shared this recently-gathered information about the potential spot: according to state law, MARTA cannot allow anyone to use its property without paying fair market value for the use of that property.

He said MARTA has determined a lease rate of $376.60 per month, or $4,519.20 a year, for the small wooded area south of the MARTA park and ride lot on Fourth Street. That amount doesn't include the work and materials involved to prepare the space for a dog park, Amos said.

"It's not in the budget and it will be difficult to include in next year's budget," Amos said.

Last December, the city council voted to close Red Dog Park at Third and Poole streets -- on land owned by the Stone Mountain Memorial Association (SMMA) -- following complaints from nearby residents about noise, parking, and people arriving after hours.

Discussions about the park have gotten heated between those who want Red Dog Park to reopen and those who want to keep it closed.

City councilwoman Susan Coletti said she's not giving up on having a dog park in the city.

"We'll have to put our thinking caps on and see what we can do," she told Patch after the meeting.

The city can only use the land at Third and Poole streets as a dog park. According to the agreement with SMMA, reverting the area back to green space must be done at the city's expense.

Do you think the city of Stone Mountain should continue to look for a new dog park space? Tell us in the comments section below.

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