© 2024 Red River Radio
Voice of the Community
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Shreveport dog park acreage designed with flooding in mind

Kate Archer Kent

The director of the Shreveport Dog Park Alliance says this month’s anticipated groundbreaking on a four-acre dog park adjacent to the Red River may be postponed until flood waters recede.

Cynthia Keith says the dog park -- almost a decade in the making -- is being designed to withstand flooding. She says the materials used in the park will be waterproof.

“The banks of the Red River have a tendency to flood, especially the area that was chosen for the dog park. It’s a natural drainage area,” Keith said, who plans to one day frequent the small dog area with her rat terrier and Chihuahua. “Of course, it drains into the river pretty quickly. They’re going to encourage the water to drain quicker through some earthen bridges that will be created that will also enhance the dog park.”

Keith says a dog pond will be developed in an area that is prone to retaining water. This is the second weather-related delay for the project. The city had to postpone designing the park due to the historic floods in May and June 2015.

The projected opening for the dog park is late summer 2016, according to Keith. The city of Shreveport didn’t return a request for comment on its construction status.

The Red River Waterway Commission put up $283,000 for the new park, which includes an overlook area for picnics. The Shreveport Dog Park Alliance raised $28,000 to cover design costs.

Chuck Smith brings more than 30 years' broadcast and media experience to Red River Radio. He began his career as a radio news reporter and transitioned to television journalism and newsmagazine production. Chuck studied mass communications at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and motion picture / television production at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has also taught writing for television at York Technical College in Rock Hill, South Carolina and video / film production at Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport.
Related Content