The Woodlands opened its fifth dog park at Tamarac Park in Grogan’s Mill after neighbors objected to the proposed facility in Sawmill Park.

A church and school near Sawmill Park expressed concern about the dog park because of its proximity to children at the elementary school and a day care center. The Woodlands found a new site at Tamarac Park near Lamar Elementary School, which welcomed the facility because of problems with area residents using the school’s sports field as a dog run.

“I am very excited and grateful to the WCA (Woodlands Community Association) directors who responded to the requests of the residents and voted to fund this generous legacy as one of their last actions,” said Sally Johnson, a Grogan’s Mill Village Association representative, who spearheaded a petition drive on the issue. “The benefits to the Woodlands residents, both dog-owners and other residents who walk

The dog park, funded the WCA with its final surplus funds, is located near the children’s play areas in the park. The half-acre tract, similar to the size offered at the Harper’s Landing and Terramont park facilities, is fully fenced and featured a wooded, mulched area and benches. A water spiget will be added to the park in the near future, said Chris Nunes, director of parks and recreation for The Woodlands Township.

“Looking at the big picture, it continues to add amenities that are geographically disbursed throughout the community,” Nunes said. “It allows people to get out and use their parks.”

The new dog park is expected to relief the pressure on the community’s two largest facilities – Cattail Park and Bear Branch parks, both in Cochran’s Crossing, which attract up to 100 dogs at peak times. The other two dog parks at Terramont in Sterling Ridge and Harper’s Landing Park in College Park are smaller and not as heavily used.

By spreading out the use, it will allow the community to provide better maintenance and repairs at the existing facilities.

As its last official act, the WCA opted to fund the dog park rather than dedicate its leftover surplus to purchasing more patrol cars for expanding law enforcement in the community. The WCA surplus was expected to be about $40,000 to $50,000 before all assets, services and funding was transferred to The Woodlands Township on Jan. 1.

WCA Director Deborah Sargeant argued that the leftover funds belonged to the residents of the older villages, while The Woodlands Association representing newer villages in the community was transferred debt to the new Woodlands Township.

This is not the first time the WCA has used excess fund for parochial projects in their area. When the WCA learned of the upcoming transition, it sold The Community Associations Building, which it solely owned, and used surplus funds to reduce residents’ property tax assessments for two years and to speed up parks projects in older villages.

“We are glad to have it and it does add to the neighborhood,” said Bruce Cunningham, president of the Grogan’s Mill Village Association.

Dog Parks in The Woodlands

The Woodlands Community Association added a fifth dog park as its final act. Following are the dog parks available in the community:

Cattail Park
9323 Cochran’s Crossing Drive
Cochran’s Crossing

Bear Branch Park
5200 Research Forest Drive
Cochran’s Crossing

Terramont Park
8500 Terramont Drive
Sterling Ridge
*for small dogs only

Harper’s Landing Park
2 Blair Bridge Drive
Harper’s Landing

Tamarac Park
1300 N. Millbend Drive
Grogan’s Mill