Effort Under Way to Keep Whitney Field a Dog Park

Dog owners in the area have started an online petition to make Whitney Field an official dog park. 

As of April 30, 100 people had signed the petition and 75 people "liked" the "Friends of Whitney Field" Facebook page.

According whitneydogpark.com, the dog park began years ago when the baseball field fell into disrepair and became host to acts of vandalism, drugs and crime.

Concerned residents gradually transformed the field into a dog park. One resident even estimates seeing more than 30 dogs and their owners on the field during the weekends.

But, as of April 25, Wilkinsburg officials locked the gate at the field so no residents or dogs could use it. 

According to the group's Facebook page, officials began enforcing borough ordinances releated to leash laws on the park property because of the complaints received about parking issues and noise along Verdi Way.

Users of the makeshift dog park are calling on the Wilkinsburg Borough Council to:

1. Designate the old baseball field at Whitney Park as the Whitney Dog Park.
2. Enact an ordinance permitting off-leash dogs in the Whitney Dog Park.
3. Coordinate with local residents to make necessary physical improvements.

Residents are willing to contribute financially to fund necessary physical improvements, according to the petition.

What do you think should happen to Whitney Field? Tell us in the comments.