Salt Lake County agrees to build dog park

The leash is back in the hands of the county.

At the urging of West Jordan city leaders, the Salt Lake County Council on Tuesday agreed to take over planning and construction of a dog park near 6000 West and New Bingham Highway.

The county had granted West Jordan $400,000 to build a four-acre dog park, but in September asked the city to revise parts of its plan. County officials said some of the changes were needed to help the park better comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act. The county also wanted more parking and benches, a pet spray-off station and a small pavilion.

City officials had hoped to spend a little more than $200,000 on the dog park and use the remaining money on something that would benefit residents citywide, not just dog owners.

The city has agreed to lease the land for $1 per year to the county, which will plan, design and build the park. The county will then determine whether to operate and maintain the dog park itself or contract those duties with West Jordan or another group.