It turns out an area long used by many in Highland Village as a dog park was never really supposed to be one, and it won’t be much longer.
The Lewisville Independent School District announced they will close the unofficial dog park behind McAuliffe Elementary to the public as of Friday, October 16.
District leaders say it’s due to safety and liability concerns on that land that really shouldn’t be used as a dog park.
In a statement Monday, the district said the fence-enclosed land is actually a water detention area which helps manage excess runoff during big rain events.
The land inside the fences actually dips down into a large, sort-of bowl with drainage areas that would take on that extra water.
Because of the enclosure though, at some point, people in town started letting their dogs inside to run around.
Long-time park goers say a project by an Eagle Scout eventually added the amenities of a dog park like benches and waste bag holders.
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However, district leaders say it’s not made for that purpose. So, for the safety of the community, dogs in the park, and those attending McAuliffe, they must lock the gates.
Some of the “dog park” regulars Monday seemed to understand the decision, but were more surprised by the revelation here.
"I'm more surprised to know that it wasn't a dog park,” said Riley McClure of Highland Village. “But I'm kind of sad to see it closing, because as long as I've known...this was a dog park."
McClure even recalled being a student at McAuliffe at least a decade ago and seeing people and dogs playing in the enclosure during school days.
The district is recommending that residents use Lewisville’s Railroad Park dog park or Denton’s Wiggly Field instead.
The Town of Flower Mound is also in the process of building a dog park.
Meanwhile, a representative for the City of Highland Village said Monday that, as a result of the news, the city council has already called for staff to evaluate and look at their options to create an official dog park in the city.
