Those are my dogs! I don't think they signed a release form... :) But it's very nice to see Asa (RIP) hitting the water, chasing whatever it was that my wife or I threw for him. And it looks like Annabel (foreground) was actually going to let him get it, just this once.

This was several years ago, by the way, so we weren't fence-cutters!

Aw, very sweet! Rest in peace Asa.... Jill

Where is this park located?

So, how long until there are crazy levels of E. coli showing up in the water there soon afterwards...

Audrey:

http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=robert+e.+lee+park

"REAL dog park??? " What? You were thinking maybe a park for FAKE dogs?

E. coli or not, it is crazy and insane that an animal that evolved with and soley because of man's power to dominate and control is so terribly discriminated against that there is practically nowhere in the country where a dog is allowed to run off leash. Canines, which are dogs for those too ignorant to know that as well, are biologically built to run. Do you think if you were only allowed to expend a tenth or less of your mental and physical energy every day that you wouuld be happy or sane?

The point is that dogs need, deserve and should be entitled to run more than around the block tethered to a chord or in a square, fenced area deemed "OK for dogs" by man's complete disregard for nature, evolution and God's creations. There is no healthy dog whose energy is expended as much as a human's energy is with a 3 mile leasure walk. They can run for hours and need to be able to use there senses in an at least semi natural state for a healthy mind and body.

I love animals have a dog,cat, and fish BUT what makes a person think they do not have to follow the law because of what they FEEL their animal should be able to do. We as human beings have laws so the same goes for animals. If people were cutting on property of others in neighborhoods they would be charged with disobeying the law!!

"G", I agree completely.

Curmudgeon Alert: When I was a kid the dogs in the neighborhood were all able to roam free and pal around all day long with almost no restriction and no overtly bad outcomes. A little common sense like waiting until after the trash trucks had passed on those two days and all was copacetic. Of course more Mom's were home in those days too.

Anyone else find it pathetic that Baltimore County has a $2 million budget for excavation and a dog park in Robert E Lee park (that is within city limits technically), yet Baltimore City can't get their act together to approve a dog park in Patterson Park? Yet another reason why most people eventually end up moving out of the city - the positives of living in it are few and far between.

LD you have it backwards.

RE Lee Park is all outside of the city limits with a very large portion of it's users also coming from outside the City limits.

Whether the city uses what it can save by no longer having Lake Roland (same place) to kick around any more and will instead use the money it didn't spend there at Patterson.. well that is a whole other discussion. But I too hope the City does establish more dog amenities everywhere.

(The cats can fend for themselves)

MrRational - I checked the article again. Even though it is outside city limits, it is still owned by the city. It is pathetic to me that the city can't get its act together and has to rent the park to the county. Also pathetic - the city's lack of dog friendly spaces. I'm jealous of the county residents, that they have people in positions of power who know how to get things done, can secure matching funds from the state, and care about the needs of residents.

Wow, LD. I can't believe you think life is that peachy keen for county residents!
And you still have it backwards. The city is not "renting the park to the County."

This reminds me of something I remember reading.

http://www.citypaper.com/news/story.asp?id=3294

The relevant passage about R E Lee Park:

"There is a lot of controversy around the use of the park," concedes city Recreation and Parks spokesman Robert Green, "about upkeep and maintenance and future safety, particularly in regards to the 30 acres that are to be closed--the peninsula area--for a soil remediation and erosion control project." This effort, which is scheduled to begin soon, intends to rectify suspected contamination from dog waste in an area of the park that has long been used almost exclusively by dog owners.

Dog waste, yum.

Sandy C - Are you kidding me?
And I quote: "...work on the park upgrades will begin after the county signs a long- term lease with Baltimore City, which owns the park even though it's in the county."

I never said life was 'peachy keen' for county residents. I was praising Baltimore County for caring about its residents' needs, and for getting things done effectively. Something that Baltimore City has proven it is incapable of doing.

I think I'll stay in the city if I would have to encounter someone like you in the county as my neighbor.

And Tammie, if you're still listening. The Point is that the law should be changed to accomodate the general health and well being of a living animal that is in our care. There is nowhere that a resident is legally allowed to let his or her dog off leash except our own property. If i owned that much land, I would invite all the dog owners in Baltimore to come visit. With dog park rules, of course.

So, really what I mean is. Why can't we have Robert E. Lee park as a dog park? There are already more dog owners that use it than non-dog owners. We deserve a dog park. And, they owe us and our dogs a park anyway!

Why not Robert E. Lee. I bet he even loved dogs.

@G: "There are already more dog owners that use it than non-dog owners"

And Frisbee Golfers.
and picnicers
and rowers
and ditched school and have a spot to hang(ers)

As much as I love dogs and want to bring my own there more... the park has had a long history of other uses that have all gone by the wayside... only because of weak City attention that has allowed it to become the largely abandoned and almost unknown park it is now... which make it a great dog park.

Anyway, these other users have a right to a nice park in a very convenient spot too.

What Mr Rational fails to acknowledge is that those adorable frisbee golfers, picnicers, rowers, etc are not out using Baltimore's parks 2-3 times a day, 365 days a year. Whether you like it or not, over the course of a year the majority of park users are dogs and dog owners. Rain, snow, or shine. It's high time the city started accommodating this group.

The point is Govt should not do everything. If so many Dog folks use this, then take up a collection, form a group, ask the vets, cos that make dog products to donate.

the state is broke, city too, county next???

or come out to soldiers delight in deer park.one area is 3 feet high meadows with natural grasses & ticks