Shreveport Dog Park-Hamel Memorial Park

We are interested in the creation of an official, off-leash dog park at the Charles and Marie Hamel Memorial Park on Clyde Fant Parkway in Shreveport.

An off-leash area can benefit the community in many ways: dog parks keep the animals away from children and people who dont like them, they help keep other public spaces free of feces, they promote responsible pet ownership, they promote public health and safety since the dogs who use the park must be licensed and vaccinated.

Dog parks provide a tool for enforcing dog control laws because well-socialized dogs are less aggressive towards people and other dogs. For elderly and disabled people, a dog park is often the only accessible place to bring their companions to socialize. Dog parks also foster community feeling -- dog park users get to know each other well. For attracting newcomers to the Shreveport area, and sustaining the younger demographic, dog parks are desirable neighborhood amenities. As for the desired location of Hamel Memorial Park as the designated off-leash area, groups of dogs and owners can revitalize little-used and/or shady areas, deterring crime and unlawful behavior.

Dog parks are the answer to dogs running loose in public areas! Off-leash dog parks provide a place for dogs to socialize with each other, getting the physical and mental exercise they need to be good companions and good neighbors. Every city in the U.S. larger than Boston has at least one dog park. Most have three or more. New York City alone has 26! Dog parks are not a fad; they are being created across the U.S. every month due to the combined efforts of community groups and local governments.

It's time that dog owners and their dogs have a place where they can get the off-leash exercise they need to be happy, healthy members of the community.