Dogs of Our Lives: Patterson Park
In the shadow of a pagoda built in 1892, purebreds and pit bull mixes rub shoulders at Patterson Park -- 155 acres as diverse in humans as it is in dog breeds.
You're as likely to see a rescued pit bull that once served as breeding stock for a dogfighting operation in Washington (she's 10 and her name is Zora), as you are a purebred Boston Terrier who looks like he's perpetually in a tuxedo, and often has an attitude to match (his name is Buster).
Dozens of dog-walkers gather at Patterson Park daily, one of whom agreed to give us the lowdown:
"Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Baltimore City, and cocooned by the neighborhoods of Butcher's Hill, Patterson Park, Fells Prospect, Canton and Upper Fells Point, local pooches from the area unofficially gather each evening at the bottom of the pagoda for their daily romp ...
"While the seasons and pooches come and go in this favorite doggie hang-out, the 'regulars' can typically be found rolling in the (numerous) mud holes, chasing the local squirrels, playing ball or Frisbee, running in circles, grazing on the grass, and munching on sticks all while keeping a keen eye out for those dreaded men on bikes (the Park Rangers) or the big white van (Animal Control). 
"As the weather gets warmer, the beautiful boat lake (with no boats) always seems to look more appealing to every Patterson Park pooch, though usually the dogs are too busy having fun and playing to exhaustion to bother running down there."
There are those who plunge in from time to time -- sometimes to cool off, sometimes in pursuit of duck.
As at all other city parks (except for the Canton Dog Park) dogs are supposed to be on leashes at all times at Patterson Park, but some owners routinely dance around that law.
For more than five years, dog lovers have been attempting to establish a dog park in Patterson -- a feat made even more difficult by the number of surrounding neighborhoods whose approval is required. That group's website is here.
To learn more about Patterson Park, you can visit the Friends of Patterson Park website.
To pass on your experiences in, views of, and gossip about the park, its dogs, and its dog-owners, click the comment button below.
Coming tomorrow: Dogs of Our Lives - Federal Hill.
Comments
Hmm. I have another idea, and it's actually a bit more feasible than the Michael Vic Dog Home.
What we need is bumper stickers that say something like I OWN A DOG IN BALTIMORE CITY, AND I VOTE. And on the next line something punchy about wanting citywide dog parks NOW.
The stickers could be sold at neighborhood festivals, dog-friendly establishments, dog park committee meetings, and probably lots of other places, with the proceeds being split among the various dog park committees. They'd also begin sending a pretty clear message to those we've elected to represent us.
We could all sport them on our car bumpers--or, in that time-honored East Baltimore tradition, display them in the front windows of our row houses.
I would stroll off humming "Alice's Restaurant," but then everybody would know how old I am.
Posted by: Anne | May 5, 2008 9:47 PM
There's a website called cafepress.com where you can put anything you want on a t-shirt, sticker, bumper sticker. Not expensive either. I'd help design it!
Posted by: Carey Hughes | May 6, 2008 8:09 AM
I'm liking this idea (though I also liked the idea of turning Michael Vick's home into a refuge for dogs). I will repost Anne's idea on the other Dogs of Our Lives pages. Maybe we can get all those interested together, in real life, and push the idea forward.
Posted by: john woestendiek | May 6, 2008 8:35 AM
john,
buster thanks you for the shout out. he also would like to apologize to the other dogs for being a bit anti-social after being attacked twice by dogs off leash. he loves humans, but has issues with squirrels and big dogs (except for ace, of course). he's got no problems with off-leash dogs, but he'd prefer that they not double-team him while he's on leash (ahem, i'm talking to you, dude-who-let-his-two-big-dogs-double-team-buster-and-then gave-us-the-stinkeye-when-i-told-him- buster-was-about-to-lose-his-mind). i know, i know. a lot of dogs might be into that, but buster likes his personal space.
Posted by: dan thanh | May 7, 2008 11:59 AM
Dan Thanh,
Yes. The stinkeye is a terrible thing to get. Us rebellious (but otherwise conscientious and respectful) off-leashers get it a lot. I've even gotten it when Ace is walking as if glued to my side (which he does if I'm holding a treat). Having spent quality time with Buster, and watched him eventually accept Ace, I don't really think he's anti-social, just slow to warm up to members of his species. I know some people like that, too. Come to think of it, I may be one. (Dan Thanh, for those of you who don't know, is a fellow Sun reporter whose blog, Consuming Interests, can be found at: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/business/consuminginterests/blog/)
Posted by: john woestendiek | May 7, 2008 1:35 PM
Anne & Carey,
Check out the Patterson Dog Park website: www.pattersondogpark.org
We have a link to Cafe Press with our logo on it, though I don't think we have bumper stickers at the moment. What a great idea!!
The dog park group will have a booth at this Saturday's Butcher's Hill Flea Market and are excepting priced donations (your junk may be someone else's treasure!) to be sold starting at 7:30am. Just look for our booth!! We're raising the money for our articles of incorporation.
Also, our next meeting will be held at Gecko's on June 4th from 7-8pm. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE try to attend!! The committee is down to the bare bones and we need all the help we can get!!
Annemarie
Posted by: Annemarie Leonardelli | May 7, 2008 2:54 PM
My chocolate labrador Chip is a frequent patron of the Park. Naturally, I think he is the most handsome labbie in the Park! Chip is a rescue lab and he loves being a city dog and is grateful to have been rescued from West Virginia.
His favorite activities are chasing his ball, hunting the squirrels, and playing with his BFF Tucker the beagle. His is a friendly social labbie, although if he's playing ball, he has a one track mind. I think he is still rather kind to other dogs when they steal his ball.
What makes Chip (and his owners) unhappy is when he is on a leash, and other dogs aren't, and they're mean to him and noisy, and then their owners give us dirty looks. When we're playing by the leash rules and others aren't, then don't give us dirty looks please.
Chip is happy to meet other dog owners especially if you're willing to give him a quick belly rub. Chip also likes kids and will give an occasional lick.
Chip has a "half time show" of tricks that he's happy to perform for treats, upon request in the park. Don't be shy in asking, unless he's playing ball!
Chip can most often be found on the west side of the park near the pagoda. Sometimes he can be found wearing his stylish blue doggles or any number of "useless human fashion accessories" like scarves/bandannas and holiday themed gear. He has the best velvety labrador ears and is happy to have people pet them!
Posted by: KMT | May 13, 2008 11:25 AM