Local pet owners are continuing a slow but steady push for a dog park in the city of Rome, said Richard Garland, the executive director of the Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority said Monday.

“We’ve had two meetings already, and the next one will be with (Assistant City Manager) Sammy Rich,” Garland told the RFPRA board. “The city has a place it wants to use.”

The RFPRA Dog Park Interest Group had 48 “likes” on its Facebook page as of Monday afternoon, and City Commissioner Sue Lee is a strong advocate. A petition she circulated early this year garnered more than 900 signatures.

While the city isn’t prepared to put any tax money into the project, it does own greenspace along the Kingfisher Trail — just over the bridge near Fourth Street and East First Avenue — it could dedicate.

Garland said the park would be a simple one, with two fenced areas to separate small and large dogs, a few benches and some water.

A coin-operated dog wash could be installed to raise money for maintenance the RFPRA isn’t in a position to offer for free.

“People are starting to understand that just because they want something, it doesn’t mean we can build it,” Garland said. “My approach is, if they’re interested they need to do it themselves. We can provide technical expertise, and there could be land from the city.”

Also on Monday, the RFPRA:

Announced that Harbin Clinic is paying for the $10,000 Fourth of July fireworks display, along with a performance by the Rome Symphony Orchestra.

Gates at Ridge Ferry Park will open at 6 p.m. and the fireworks are scheduled to go off at about 9:30 p.m. The annual event is free.

Heard the contractor will be back July 1 to refinish six courts at the Rome Tennis Center.

Garland said too much sand in the resurfacing mix caused troughs to form at two of the courts. Crews fixed those, but created wave patterns in six other courts when they used the rest of the mix on them.

Recommended taking $4,750 from the capital reserve fund to replace the defunct heating and air unit at Lock & Dam Park. The Floyd County Commission must approve the expense.

Agreed to accept bids to repair the roof at the Thornton Center. RFPRA Chairman Jerry Lee said there have been leaks since the facility was built — “part design flaw, part installation issue” — that the contractor has failed to resolve.

Plans are to fix the leaks, which are causing mold and skylight problems and seek damages to pay for the estimated $5,650 cost of repairs.

Recognized Shorter Lady Hawks head coach Al Thomas, who was named NAIA Softball Coach of the Year. The Lady Hawks play at the Alto Park softball complex.