Lakewood Dog Park May Get Sound Barrier, Shorter Hours and New Signs

You could call it throwing a bone.

After Rocky River’s lawsuit against Lakewood Dog Park was , Lakewood is considering an arrangement that would appease nearby residents upset by noise at the park.

Lakewood Mayor Michael Summers said that the two cities have discussed a plan that would have the park getting a sound barrier, shorter hours and signs asking visitors to be mindful of the neighbors.

He said that Rocky River — which uses the Lakewood sewer system — is slated for work on a sewer project, with lines run right underneath the park. The dirt from the excavation would be used to build the barriers.

Summers insisted that Lakewood wouldn’t be picking up the tab.

 “If they would pay for it, we would support it,” he said. “If it happens, it will be happening at the expense of Rocky River.”

According to cleveland.com, Rocky River Mayor Pam Bobst said weekday hours for the Lakewood Pog park would be reduced by one hour, opening at 8 a.m. rather than 7 a.m.

The lawsuit, filed in 2007, stemmed from complaints from four nearby residents about noise from dogs at the park barking. About 10 neighbors of the park — located at 1299 Metropark Drive — testified .

The court case concluded that the park was not a nuisance.

In the end, Lakewood spent about $4,000 in legal fees, including the city’s share of a $5,000 noise study, and Rocky River shelled out $21,602. The involved residents had been footing legal bills for the case since May at the city's attorney rate of $100 an hour.

Early on in the lawsuit, Lakewood proposed to settle the case by building an $80,000 sound barrier. But city officials have said Lakewood’s offer to pay for it is now off the table.