For those who read my previous “Notes From the Playground” posts, you might remember the story of a toddler’s poop-smeared ride down the slide that got a discussion going about needing a Mutt Mitt dispenser at Wallingford Park. Well, the mitts are in, or at least the dispenser is. You can find it at Northwest corner of the park, at 43rd and Woodlawn. 
But perhaps more frequent refills are in need? I’ve checked the dispenser a few times over the past couple of weeks and it’s been empty each time. That said, I’m not a dog owner, so if anyone else out there can provide better feedback, please leave a post and I can get back in touch with the Parks Department to see about updating the maintenance schedule.
Which reminds me that a shout out is in order for Don Allen, the grounds maintenance supervisor for the park, and the rest of the parks staff. If you’re reading this, thanks Don!
What if the new dog store on Wallingford Avenue stocked the mitts and also collected donations for them so we don’t have to rely on a city department to stock the dispenser? Easy walk over from the park and a great way for dog owners to do a good one. And please, take the poop home with you!
I hate to rain on this parade, because as a bag-carrying, pack-out-the-dung-yer-mutt-brung dog owner myself I’ve experienced more than one gratitude buzz upon finding a public bag dispenser when I’ve unexpectedly run out of my own, but know that some folks use public dispensers as their own personal stock-up stations, taking a bag to use immediately and pocketing several more for later, so it may be difficult to keep ’em stocked, regardless of who’s doing the stocking. (Say, is there a prize for run-on sentences in this category?)