Highlands Ranch is a pet-friendly community boasting four designated dog parks, more than 70 miles of trails, and 25 parks where residents can oftentimes be seen walking and playing with their four-legged friends. The Highlands Ranch Metro District, steward of these public areas, signed an agreement with Denver-based Poo Free Parks to provide pet waste supplies and services in the parks and open space areas in Highlands Ranch.
Poo Free Parks installed 184 dog bag dispensers making it easier than ever for pet owners to clean up after their dog. The new dispensers are made of recyclable aluminum and are filled with biodegradable bags designed to naturally deteriorate within 18 months. Poo Free Parks takes their environmentally friendly service even a step further by servicing the dispensers weekly by a crew driving hybrid vehicles.
“We value the environmentally friendly and supportive services provided by Poo Free Parks,” said Metro District General Manager Terry Nolan. “This program will help protect water quality, save the Metro District money and help to keep our community’s beautiful parks and trails clean.”
The new partnership with Poo Free Parks will save the Metro District more than $20,000 annually. The cost of the program is funded through advertising located on signage attached to each station. Local businesses and organizations can contact Peter Moller with Poo Free Parks at 303-517-1410 for information about advertising in Highlands Ranch. The revenue generated covers the costs for maintenance and supplies of the dispensers.
The Metro District began providing dog bags for pet owners in 1995 when six stations were installed at Diamond K Park. Gradually more dispensers were added spanning the community. In 2009 the number of dispensers totaled 153. That same year the Metro District began a pilot program relying on dog owners to bring their own bags to stock the dispensers. The bring one, take one initiative did not take hold and six months later the Metro District installed dispensers to the back of rules signs where they have remained until now.
The new dispensers are an added reminder to pet owners to pick up after their pet so all park visitors have a pleasant experience.
Poo Free Parks has dispensers in parks throughout Colorado including Chatfield State Park, Aurora, and Westminster and has expanded nationally to California and Oregon.
Comments