City: Please don’t use Meridian Dog Park yet

City officials say the Meridian Dog Park under construction in north Wichita isn’t ready for use.

Doug Kupper, director of parks and recreation, said dogs are damaging areas where grass seed has been planted.

“We need to give the turf some time” to lay down strong roots, Kupper said.

The park at 2127 N. Meridian, which features hardy buffalo grass, should be ready for use by mid-summer, he said.

This will be the third dog park in the city. Arson Canine Ashley Memorial Dog Park is located inside Chapin Park at 2400 E. MacArthur. The Murfin Animal Care Campus Dog Park is at the Kansas Humane Society, 3303 N. Hillside.

The Meridian Dog Park will have separate areas for large dogs and small dogs, Kupper said, though owners with both types can keep them together.

North Wichita residents who don’t want to wait can take their dogs to the Arson Canine Ashley park, he said. It features open space, park benches, timeout areas and drinking fountains designed for dogs.

This story was originally published February 8, 2012 at 5:00 AM with the headline "City: Please don’t use Meridian Dog Park yet ."