UPDATE: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - After years of controversy, the decision regarding the dog park at Legg Park South is final! Learn the decision on HOMTV.

ORIGINAL STORY: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - It's certainly not uncommon to see local residents walking their dogs around the city and they've becoming quite the topic in Meridian Township.

MSU Ph.D student Autumn Dodge tells HOMTV dog parks aren't just about dogs and the people who own them.

"People that have dogs are able to socialize their dogs and make them better behaved so that they're friendlier and around people and that makes the community better."

And East Lansing resident Matt Deeg says dogs need a place to have fun too.

"There are so many places in East Lansing where it's, you know, no dogs allowed, dogs on leashes; this is one of the few places where it's nice to be able to take her and she can be free."

But not everyone feels this way. After years of controversy, the Meridian Township Park Commission approved the addition of a dog park at Legg Park South, despite numerous residents speaking out against the idea.

Director of Parks and Recreation LuAnn Maisner feels they'll come around though.

"A lot of times there's a lot of fear before--fear of the unknown--and when something is actually constructed and the people do come, it becomes a wonderful thing. And we're hoping that that's really going to be the case as well."

There is no set open date for the new dog park at this time, but Meridian Township is accepting tax deductible donations to help fund the new dog park.