Eatonton City Council convened May 20, and about a third of the 35-minute meeting was dedicated to discussing a potential pooch playground being built alongside the existing Butterflies & Blooms nature preserve.
A new dog park was proposed by Ward 4 Councilmember Teresa Doster for a triangular- shaped piece of property owned by the Putnam Development Authority. The new city facility would be bordered by the butterfly park, North Jefferson Avenue, and the train track that crosses North Jefferson diagonally. No specific acreage was mentioned, but Doster described the plot as “pretty small” and “virtually unusable the way we have it now,” largely due to being thick with hardwood and pine trees.
“My proposal is for there to be an actual dog park so that people can have a place to take their dogs and they can run and play and it’s a very inexpensive way for us to utilize that property,” Doster said. “I think it would complement the butterfly garden … and would encourage people to use the park more.”
Doster explained the biggest cost would involve clearing and grading the property, quoting an estimated $19,000 to $23,000, followed by fencing and installing a water spigot nearby. However, no electrical service or lighting would be installed, making it a day-use-only facility. She said all pine trees would be removed, but most of the large, shady hardwoods would remain, particularly at each of the triangle’s corners.
Doster mentioned about $8,000 in donations is available and anticipated upkeep on the dog park would amount to about $2,000 annually. A suggestion was made that someone might also be encouraged to donate to have the park named in honor of a beloved, departed pet.
With combined Wards 1 and 4 Councilmember Marie Rainey not present, the remaining six councilmembers voted unanimously to go forward with securing official cost estimates, not to exceed $39,200, which Doster earlier said represented a high-end estimate.
“It’s not that expensive for what I think it would make that area … and I think it would make it more usable and give us more outdoor recreation for people,” she said.
Also discussed was an application for a certificate of appropriateness to remove some faux Victorian features, a fountain, and some fencing from a house at 402 N. Madison Ave. The request passed unanimously after already being approved by the Eatonton Historic Preservation Commission.
Next, council unanimously approved a request for a parade permit from the East Point Track Club to hold its second annual Georgia State Cyclist Championship June 1-2 during Eatonton’s Dairy Festival weekend. Organizer Jim Stone explained to the council that the in-town portion of the event had been shortened to better accommodate participants, spectators, and parking needs on a busy weekend in town.
“We’re also moving the race back to 2 p.m., which leaves plenty of time for the running race to get out of there, the parade to end, and then that gives us a good two hours to set up barricades and do what we need to do,” Stone said.
He also said that USA Cycling was very impressed and happy after last year’s event in Eatonton and explained to the council that it is the same organization that administers the Olympics for the United States.
“So, this is the highest elite level of (bicycle) racing in the country,” Stone said, adding that the bike race alone drew approximately 500 visitors to the region last year.
After a change in ownership, council also unanimously approved issuance of a license to BP Eatonton, LLC at 207 Sumter St. to sell retail-packaged beer and wine.
Finally, Eatonton Police Chief Howell Cardwell appeared before the council to introduce Jeremy McClure as his latest sworn-in officer. McClure, a former Marine straight out of high school, told the councilmembers that he’s always wanted to become a police officer and appreciated the opportunity in Eatonton. He also was a true newlywed, having been married less than a week before appearing before council.