Wagtown, Inc. has been awarded a $5,000 mini grant from the City of Dayton to begin building the nation’s first Wagtown Dog Trail with Wagtown Barking Spots.
The Wagtown Dog Trail is a two-mile, dog-friendly tour connecting Webster Station and The Oregon District. Wagtown Dog Trails are dog-friendly spaces to get out and walk, meet other dogs, get info on local dog-friendly events, hold programs, and more. Dog Trails increase community walkability for pedestrians (both bipedal and quadrupedal), foster social experiences, encourage healthy lifestyles, deter crime, and provide a forum to demonstrate responsible dog ownership.
Along the Wagtown Dog Trail, pooch-toting residents and visitors will be able to see Wagtown Barking Spots. These artistic installations showcase local creative talent and celebrate the community’s love of dogs. Wagtown Barking Spots will give dog lovers easy access to poop bags, resting places, and spaces to chill and connect to what’s happening for dogs and their humans in Dayton.
America is becoming increasingly dog friendly, and the Dayton area is no exception. Legislative shifts such as Ohio’s Pups on Patios bill that allows restaurant owners to decide if they want to be dog-friendly or not, are leaning toward more welcoming and humane laws, better protection for companion animals, and more freedom for businesses who want to make the most of this profitability booster. Miller explained that the impact of dog- friendliness was evident in many of the cities that she visited in the nonprofit’s research phase. “The phenomenon of “dollars follow dogs” is undeniable. Regionally vibrant cities have benefited from this correlation for years. Now, they use it as a marketing tool. We love that…but, it needs to be authentic. That’s where Wagtown can help.”
Wagtown has been working with a number of area municipal leaders, legislators, and grassroots organizations in the Miami Valley to develop educational programs to keep children safe around dogs, assist in off-leash area creation, develop pet-friendly office programs, and improve the authenticity of dog-friendly claims in our area. “The Dayton area has some great amenities for dogs and their families. That being said, we have a long way to go to be considered truly dog friendly. These projects are a great step in the direction of authentic and responsible dog friendliness,” stated Miller.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED:
- ARTISTS: Artists are encouraged to request a packet of information at if they would like to be considered for the project.
- VOLUNTEERS: Those interested in being involved in the project can sign up here.
- ATTENDEES: A free, dog-friendly kick-off event will be held on July 20 from 1-4PM at Troll Pub.
