Paws & Progress: Updates on Canton Dog Park

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Thanks to all for your recent inquiries about the Canton Dog Park. Here’s an update as to what’s been happening over the past many months.

  • In 2023, we developed a process to rid the Canton Dog Park of a water drainage problem. This process has many moving parts.

  • Design and develop a stormwater mitigation plan with local water mitigation engineer/project manager and general contractor

  • Source material and labor costs to create a comprehensive budget

  • Coordinate with the City on plan approval, permit requirements, and any necessary inspections (ongoing with delays)

  • Source a local contractor to implement the plan

  • Explore temporary options to make both sides of the park safe and operable until the permanent solution is implemented

 As of January 2025:

  • The plan was developed

  • Volunteers installed an underground pipe that has effectively reduced pooling water most months; however, the final project requires installing the pipes under the sidewalk to direct water into the street and storm drains, further improving drainage and increasing safety for pedestrians.

  • A contractor has been hired to lead the portion of that plan that requires sidewalk demo and repair

  • Permits applications have been submitted

Delays
The goal is to have the water drain under the sidewalk and into the storm drain. For this, permits are needed from the City.

  • The city contact we had been dealing with left the agency which has delayed the process to get the needed permit and agreement by which we donate the work to the City

  • We are in the process of providing the information now required

  • We have submitted requests for the permits and await permit approval

The Canton Dog Park is owned by Baltimore City but is managed primarily by the Canton Community Association (CCA), a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This project is being led by CCA Board Member and Dog Park Chair Jayne Miller, along with a small group of dedicated volunteers. A project of this size and complexity, which involves coordination with multiple vendors and government entities, will take many, many months. So we appreciate your patience as we navigate this long and layered process.

Fundraiser Funds (Beyond the Water Mitigation Project)
The funds raised during the 2023 Pawty at the Park are held in an account with the CCA. The funds were not raised solely to repair the drainage problem, but are being used for several things.

  • Replace the previous account balance that was used to repair the water fountains and pay for the retaining wall

  • Purchase temporary fencing and signs  to safely contain the “lake” until the water retention could be resolved

  • Design, purchase and install new perimeter signage as the old signs were faded and illegible

  • Purchase and install a new bulletin board to house info helpful to not on our dog parents, but the whole community

  • Apply to general maintenance as necessary

  • Hire landscaper to level a new area and install the commemorative bricks

Here’s some other news from our year-in-review January 2025 CCA Life in Canton e-newsletter.

2024 Accomplishments

  • Collaborated with community volunteers to maintain the park on a daily basis

  • Continued to address the water retention problem on the large dog side of the park

  • Installed first part of drain project to improve safety and health concerns

  • Worked with Councilmember Cohen’s office to facilitate communication between key city agencies, including BCRP, DPW, and DOT.

  • Expanded the CCA Commemorative Buy-A-Brick Program to include the Friends of Canton Dog Park

  • Installed new Park Rules sign

  • Removed dying tree(s) and non-native plants and planted new trees

2025 Goals

  • Continue to increase volunteer participation and work with the Friends of Canton Dog Park Committee

  • Work with BCRP to resolve the water retention/drain installation project (permits are needed)

  • Replace old signs with new, clearer signs displaying park rules, hours, and more

  • Sell and install additional commemorative bricks

  • Install a new bulletin board to increase communication in the community

  • Work with the committee to plan social events for users of the park

If you are interested in volunteering at the park or have specific questions about the ongoing project,, please email CantonCommunity.org. Follow the Friends of Canton Dog Park FB page at https://www.facebook.com/CantonDogPark.