Off-Leash at Ida Lee

A proposal to allow off-leash hours for dogs in parts of Ida Lee has been revived. What a great idea.

The two requested that town staff and council members consider instituting off leash dog hours for a six-month trial run from dusk to 9 a.m. on the northern end of Ida Lee Park. Acting Co-Director of Parks and Recreation Bill Ference said recently that he is also looking at the possibility of evening off leash hours in two potential sites at the park, on the King Street side as well as a side near Old Waterford Road. Both sites would be about seven acres, he said.

Ference acknowledges that town staff looked at the option of off leash dog hours two years ago but decided that a formal dog park was the better solution. - Leesburg Today

In an era when people complain about being disconnected from their neighbors, there are few things as connecting as dogs. Having an off-leash play area for dogs at Ida Lee would get neighbors to meet neighbors and create one more nexus of social interconnection in the fabric that is Leesburg.

The Council should make this happen. Many kudos to Gigi and Sally for reviving the idea and pushing it forward.