By Brenna R. Kelly
Enquirer staff writer

BURLINGTON - Though she has her own backyard, Blazin needs friends to chase, tackle and lick.

That's why about once a week Kathy Lubbers drives her 11/2 -year-old Greyhound mix to Mount Airy Forest in Cincinnati where she can run and play in the fenced-in dog park.

"It really is for the socializing," said Lubbers. "She loves to play with other dogs."

But Lubbers would like a playpen closer to her Florence home, so last year, she called Ken Hund, director of Boone County Parks and Recreation.

Now Lubbers, Hund, and Beckey Reiter, director of the county's animal shelter, are working together to build a dog park.

"Across the country dog parks are becoming more popular," Hund said, "I think that's part of the urbanization."

There are more than 600 dog parks nationwide. Northern Kentucky's first opened May 5 in Fort Thomas.

On July 17 a paw park will open in Kenton County's Pioneer Park.

Boone's park would be on four acres in Idlewild Park near Burlington.

"It's the perfect spot because it's not too flat and not too hilly," said Reiter, who is helping Hund with the project because, she says, "I know about the dog stuff and he knows more of the parks stuff."

The park will cost $20,000 to $25,000.

The county will look for volunteers to start raising money. More than 12,000 dogs live in Boone County based on statistics estimating that 38 percent of households have dogs.

Hund, Lubbers and Reiter have visited area parks to gather ideas.

One idea to save the grass in the park, which can turn to mud from overuse, is to have two areas and rotate using one each year.

They also want water fountains for humans and dogs, entrances with double gates, benches and trees.

There also should be separate sections for big and little dogs, Reiter said.

In theory the park could help reduce admissions to the animal shelter.

If dogs are socialized early, they are less likely to become aggressive and less likely to be dropped off at the shelter, she said.

Because the county leases Idlewild Park from the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, the airport board will have to approve of the park.

Hund plans to ask at the next meeting, July 19.

No timetable has been set, but Reiter hopes it get it started soon.

"I'd love to see it this season," she said.

Anyone interested volunteering for Boone County dog park can call Ken Hund at 334-2117 or Beckey Reiter 586-5285.

E-mail bkelly@enquirer.com