Urban Dog Parks and Sustainability

Having dog parks in the community can help create social interaction within the community by giving people a place to come together. While those in the community allow their dogs to run free in a fenced in area, they can interact with one another. Some benefits are that dog parks promote responsible pet ownership and the enforcement of dog-control laws, give dogs a place to exercise safely, and provide seniors and disabled owners with an accessible place to exercise their companions.

Some dog parks are promoting sustainability by utilizing different innovations. For example, a dog park in Cambridge, Massachusetts is using dog poop to help power the street lights in the park. The project, started by Matthew Mozzatta, uses the poop to produce methane, which is then burned to light the park at night. Below is a picture of what is called the "Park Spark". (Park Spark)

Other dog parks, like one in Miltpas, California, have used more traditional sustainable methods when constructing their park. It includes solar panels that generate 40% of the park's electricity. The center also provides on-site bioswales to clean rainwater runoff before water enters the sewage system. In addition, artificial turf and native plants were used to lower the need for irrigation. (Miltpas Dog Park)

Community Gardens

Community gardens can have many positive impacts on the individuals within the community, as well as the environment. Working together to grow nutritious food, beautiful flowers, and create a space of serenity for the neighborhood gives people in a community a reason to come together for a united purpose. Not only does it promote this social interaction, it also helps the environment by preserving green space in a potentially crowded area. Community gardens also provide an opportunity for recreation, exercise, and education. People will be able to learn how to become more sustainable and provide for themselves. In turn, they will be able to rely on themselves and each other, strengthening the bond in the community.

To get more involved, find out where community gardens are located in your area. In our local area, there are a few around town. Beall's Hill community garden and Pleasant Hill community garden are both located near Mercer's campus. Below is a video of those who started the Pleasant Hill community garden in Macon.