By Cindy Schroeder
The Cincinnati Enquirer

INDEPENDENCE - By Aug. 1, Kenton County dog enthusiasts plan to transform two little-used acres in Kenton County's Pioneer Park into a paw park.

Kenton Fiscal Court agreed Tuesday to lease two acres to Friends of Kenton Paw Park for $1 a year. The recreational amenity would be Greater Cincinnati's sixth paw park, or a fenced-in area where dogs can run without wearing leashes and can socialize with other pets.

It will join more than 600 dog parks nationwide. Other Greater Cincinnati paw parks are in Cincinnati's Mount Airy Forest, Highland Hills Park in Fort Thomas, Schappacher Park in Warren County's Deerfield Township, and West Chester Township's Voice of America Park. Anderson Township Parks and Recreation is opening a four-acre paw park in Kellogg Park later this month.

"I would like to thank my committee and all the citizens of Northern Kentucky for their support on this," said Villa Hills resident Tom Biedenharn, who has spent a year rallying support for the park. "It's been a long time coming."

Two weeks ago, county officials delayed action on the proposal, citing liability concerns. Paw park supporters responded that paw parks in other communities were covered under the local government's insurance.

Brandon Voelker, assistant Kenton County attorney, said Tuesday that he thinks the county is shielded by Kentucky's recreational-use statute. That law limits the liability of owners who provide land for recreational purposes as long as they don't charge admission.

Biedenharn said the 12-member Friends of Kenton Paw Park Committee plans to put promotional materials for the new park at Greater Cincinnati rest stops and motels that accept pets.

As part of its agreement with the county, the committee also must agree to keep at least $5,000 in a special account for maintenance. So far, the committee has collected $36,688.

As with other paw parks, Kenton County's would require all dogs to have a county dog license and updated shots, Biedenharn said. Animals would be removed at the first sign of aggression.

E-mail cschroeder@enquirer.com