Dog park meeting being planned in Aspinwall, park to open Nov. 1

Aspinwall officials want to hear from residents about possible changes to the borough’s dog park ahead of its upcoming season.

Dogs can roam free in the Aspinwall Recreation Area ball fields Nov. 1 through March 31.

The infields are fenced off to limit damage to the baseball playing area.

Residents are to register their pets and pay a $10 fee per-dog prior to use.

There is nothing currently on the books for non-resident registration and fees.

Councilwoman Marcia Cooper wants to have a public forum to discuss that issue and other dog park matters in the coming weeks.

A meeting date has not been set. It is expected to take place at the borough office, 217 Commercial Ave.

“Anybody who uses the dog park on a regular basis is invited to attend,” Cooper said during her property and parks report Sept. 13.

“Meet with the parks committee so we can establish some parameters for what that looks like this upcoming season (and) avoid some of the problems that happened last season. I’m looking for sort of everybody’s availability and how many people want to (attend).”

Cooper declined to specify what problems took place last season.

“I don’t want to get ahead of the meeting,” she said.

Cooper referred further questions to Borough Manager Melissa O’Malley and council President Tim McLaughlin.

Anyone who wants to have a dog park meeting can email Cooper at Mcooper.aspinwall@gmail.com.

The dog park is one of the more popular amenities in Aspinwall.

O’Malley said about 50 dogs use it on a given day.

“It’s a benefit to residents because a lot of the properties don’t have large backyards,” O’Malley said. “It’s a place for dogs to be able to run and get exercise.”

O’Malley anticipates new regulations being adopted prior to its opening.

“Currently, the dog park is only set up for residents,” she said. “We do have nonresidents that use it. That’s the issue. How do you regulate it?

“The police can’t be spending all their time at a dog park. We can’t hire somebody that that’s their whole job. … We do have residents (that use the park) that don’t register, as well.”

Pet registration applications are available at the borough office.

Coming soon: Paving

Paving is expected to start Sept. 25.

Council Vice President Lara Voytko said the project was delayed due to weather and Oakmont-based A. Folino Construction’s schedule.

Road repairs are expected to take about a week.

Work to be done includes:

• Alley I;

• a patch along the 200 block of Second Street;

• a patch at the intersection of Second Street and Virginia Avenue;

• a patch in front of 400 Eastern Ave.;

• three patches on Center Avenue, from Sixth to Eighth streets;

• the intersection of Center Avenue and 10th Street;

• Center Avenue, between Ninth Street and Alley H.

The borough budgeted $75,000 for paving this year.

Council unanimously voted June 14 to award its paving program to A. Folino Construction, which was the lowest of three bidders at just over $57,400 .

The borough may use the estimated $17,500 remaining after the contract to do some brick repairs.

Volunteers wanted

Volunteers are needed to serve on the borough’s human relations commission.

Those interested can email resumes and letters of interest to Councilman Heth Turnquist at hturnquist.aspinwall@gmail.com.