Room for Kids and Dogs in Markey Park - Sign-Making Demonstration #SaveMarkeyPark

Room for Kids and Dogs in Markey Park - Sign-Making Demonstration #SaveMarkeyPark [originally published on Tumblr]

March 3, 2013

On a brisk Sunday, New Orleans residents made dozens of decorative signs and attached them to the fence of Mickey Markey Park to spread awareness about the Bywater Neighborhood Association’s recent announcement to close Markey Park and not include a designated off-leash dog area in the re-development plans, despite community input that indicates otherwise.

Photo by Tracey Davenport

Parents, children, and dogs united today at Mickey Markey Park in the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans. Around 40 adults and 10 children (and nearly as many dogs) attended The Save Markey Park Sign-Making Party/Demonstration of Support for an Off-Leash Area for Dogs in Markey Park.

Copies of the online petition “I want a dedicated off-leash area for dogs in Markey Park” were available for people to sign. This petition, which was launched by the creator of the Save Markey Park Facebook Event, has acquired over 400 signatures as of March 3.

Today’s demonstration was a response to the announcement that NORD was going to close down Markey Park on Monday, February 25, (The Bywater Neighborhood Association has since announced that the park will be closed soon, but a specific date has not been given). Preceding this, there were a series of lively, well-attended meetings about how to redevelop the park with a grant from the Trust for Public Land. Overwhelmingly the neighborhood wants part of the park to remain an off-leash dog park. The design firm came up with three plans, all of which divided the space into a playground, a dog park, and a free space. The meetings were a testament to civic involvement, cooperation and democracy. Then, NORD, surreptitiously commissioned its own plan, without an area for dogs, and rammed it through, not allowing any input from the community.

photo by Tracey Davenport
Stencils, Sharpies, spray paint, glitter, and a love for spending time with dogs contributed to some colorful signs.

One stuffed dog has even chained himself to the fence to declare “Woof, No! We won’t go!”

Woof, No! We won’t go!


Long time Bywater residents, citizens from other neighborhoods, and people who have moved to the Bywater specifically because they enjoy taking their dogs to Markey Park voiced various concerns.

A major concern among residents who have children and/or dogs is that city spokes people are treating the redevelopment as a people versus dogs issue. The community argues that the park can and should accommodate kids and dogs.

NORD CEO Vic Richards argued against dogs on WWNO radio on Friday, March 1, mentioning that the city had a long way to go regarding implementing best practices for dog parks.

Meanwhile, advocates for an off-leash dog area have been studying and circulating The Humane Society of the United States’ guide to dog parks and brought plastic bags to clean up waste in Markey Park.

Children who play with their dogs in the park were especially earnest while making signs like the one above: “Me and my dog play here. Why take it?”

Adults expressed the positive impact a dog area has on social and economic issues including safety and property value.

Other signs addressed Mayor Landrieu and city organizations more directly.

This lovely collection of signs displayed on the Markey Park fence is a testament to the community’s commitment to seeing the park redeveloped to include an off-leash dog area, a space for children, and a general community space, so all who visit the park can have a safe and pleasant experience.

Please visit Save Markey Park DOT ORG for updates.