Seattle lets the dogs out in Belltown trouble spot

Belltown's Regrade Park, once a hotbed for drug use and prostitution, has gone to the dogs.

For the two- and four-legged denizens of the hip downtown neighborhood, that's a good thing.

Yesterday, more than 200 dog owners and canine supporters joined city leaders and members of Citizens for Off-Leash Areas, or COLA, at the park for the official opening of Seattle's newest off-leash dog area.

At a third of an acre, Regrade Park is the smallest of Seattle's nine off-leash parks, and the first one downtown. Dozens of dogs, from pugs and golden retrievers to poodles and Pomeranians, celebrated the occasion by running through the park's concrete and grassy areas, kicking up the landscaping bark in flower beds and weaving between legs to chase balls and fetch Frisbees.

It's a welcome sight for many Belltown residents who had come to know the park at the corner of Third Avenue and Bell Street as a haven for illicit activity.

"This dog park will make this neighborhood safer," Seattle City Council President Jan Drago told the crowd. The city has for years tried to clean up the park, said Drago, who has lived downtown since 1982.

"I believe this will change not only the park, but this neighborhood, and make it a safer place for all people to come and enjoy themselves," she said, "whether they have dogs or not."

For more than a year COLA, with Seattle Parks and Recreation and the City Council, has worked with neighborhood groups and individuals on a plan to convert Regrade Park into an off-leash area. The idea was proposed by dog owners in the neighborhood as a way to create a safe, friendly place for the community — including non-pet owners — to enjoy.

The park's designation as an off-leash area is part of an 18-month pilot program. At the end of the trial period a decision will be made about whether to keep Regrade a permanent off-leash park.

The small, mostly concrete park is enclosed by heavy, black fencing with latched gates. Perhaps drawn by the chorus of barks and the crush of people, a handful of onlookers gathered outside the fence and watched the dogs dance and sprint throughout the park, stopping only for treats or to lick their owners' faces.

Belltown resident Adrianne Young was instrumental in opening the off-leash park. Young, who's lived downtown for the past decade, brought her French bulldog, Officer, to yesterday's opening.

"This has never really been a comfortable place to walk by," said Young, who lives two blocks from the park. Before, as she walked Officer, she encountered other dog owners who expressed interest in a local off-leash area.

Now, residents can exercise their pets and socialize without leaving the neighborhood, said Alley Rutzel, COLA vice chair.

"This is a great meeting spot," Rutzel said. "It's like socializing at a coffee shop. We're really excited about bringing some community space to this area."

"Horrible" is how Belltown resident Betty Crane described the limited options for dog owners before the opening of the off-leash park.

"There was really no place for them to go run and do things. You had to keep them on a leash," said Crane, with her Shih Tzu, Siloette, close by. The park is a block and a half from Crane's home, which makes frequent visits possible.

Like Crane, Stephanie Cain believes the off-leash park will benefit more than just dog owners.

"To have this a couple blocks away is perfect," said Cain, who brought Montana, a Shih Tzu Pomeranian. "I'm glad to see that it's cleaned up the park, because I wouldn't walk by before."

Tina Potterf: 206-464-8214 or tpotterf@seattletimes.com