As part of the EPA Resilience Webinar series, in partnership with EPIC-N, Apache Junction Parks & Recreation Director Liz Langenbach joined a panel with SCN Director Anne Reichman and Project Cities Program Manager Julia Colbert to discuss one of Project Cities’ first projects, the development of a dog park for the community.

Planning for the park started in 2008, with the passage of the City’s master plan for an off-leash dog park. However, the project had been put on hold as a result of the recession. Interest in the dog park was renewed in 2017, when Apache Junction partnered with the newly launched Project Cities program to research alternative funding sources for the park. 

A new university-community partnership

In partnership with Malcolm Goggin's PAF 509 Public Affairs Capstone, students split up to tackle various parts of the project, including public-private partnerships, alternative revenue sources, outreach, and assessments for the park. Students located across the country convened with Apache Junction officials to better research and inform recommendations for the implementation of the dog park. 

“I can’t say enough about how neat it was to be on campus with the students and professors to hear some of their thoughts”

Liz Langenbach

Following a series of onsite visits and conversations with Apache Junction staff, students presented their findings and recommendation at the end-of-semester showcase. Student recommendations included separate areas for dogs with various temperament, plenty of shade and water stations, and solar powered lighting for the park. 

Check out the student summary report at http://links.asu.edu/PCAJDogPark17F_Report

Dutchman Dog Park

Located at the Pinal County complex in Apache Junction, Dutchman Dog Park officially opened in spring 2022. After more than a decade of planning and execution, Apache Junction now has a state-of-the-art dog park equipped with three fenced areas, including a space that can be reserved through AJ’s Parks & Recreation department.

We thank Liz Langenbach and the City of Apache Junction for their continued support of Project Cities, the establishment of the dog park illustrates the mutually beneficial relationship of the Project Cities model.

You can watch the webinar HERE.

 

Project Cities is a member of the Educational Partnerships for Innovation in Communities Network (EPIC-N) and is administered by ASU’s Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory and the Sustainable Cities Network. Stay up to date with Project Cities and the Sustainable Cities Network by following us on social media or subscribing to our newsletter.