Essentially, Brainerd Parks and Recreation threw them a bone — one big enough for all the dogs in town.
After a year and-a-half of planning, research and finding the right location a committee of dog enthusiasts has finally had its wish granted, with a dog park approved and ready for construction in Brainerd.
“I can’t thank Tony (Sailer, Brainerd Parks and Recreation director) enough for all of his help in this process,” said Dan Hegstad, member of the Brainerd Dog Park Committee. “He helped us pick out location and has really helped make this possible.”
Originating from discussion at a community picnic in 2010, Hegstad said that a group of people began gathering and looking at the possibility of bringing in an off-leash, fenced in dog park to the Brainerd lakes area. Working in conjunction with Brainerd Parks and Recreation and visiting neighboring dog parks in other communities, the committee is now in the process of tracking down funds.
“We are raising the money for it and the parks and rec department will maintain it, which is great,” said Hegstad.
The park, which will be located on the south end of Kiwanis Park at East River Road and Jenny Street near the community garden needs roughly $15,000 for fencing, signs and other infrastructure planned for the site and all donations are tax deductible with the dog park committee using Community Action as their official funds organizer.
“I think this is going to be a really great thing for this town,” said Hegstad. “And it’s going to be great for the dogs who love to run and will have the room to do it in a safe and fenced-in area.”
Donations can be made to Brainerd Community Action with Dog Park attached in the memo section of checks. Donors who contribute $500 or more will be honored with a 2-by-2 foot sign at the park and those who donate $250-$500 will have their name or company listed on the dog park website.
For more information visit www.brainerddogpark.com.
JESSI PIERCE, staff writer, may be reached at 855-5859 or jessi.pierce@brainerddispatch.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jessi_pierce (@jessi_pierce).
Comments (11)
Add commentHey isnt this a
Little close to the river for all that dog waste?? Are they going to have a place for them to go so it can be pumped?? LOL
A person cant build a building by the river in town but we can let dogs do their thing in a flood plain.
I'm calling the DNR and
Joe Radinovich tonight!
Hey guys
This is one place where the big dog should rule.
dogs
fish head should be happy.
Messed up!
Am I the only one who thinks it is wrong that Brainerd would take a park away from the kids and add one for dogs?
The kids ...
... are busy texting, the dogs will actually use the park.
Dean
The dog's can swim better than the kid's. Just kidding but cant remember does this flood. I know just N of there it does but I dont make it down there much.
This park and saftey
I won't use this here park if they put up a "no guns" sign. We must be able to bring are self's and are weaponry into a place like this especially if there is dangerous dogs who can attack and kill. You can outlaw the dogs but when dogs are outlawed only outlaws will have dogs!
Is there any talk of banning the dogs from this place, for safety?
SMTN
Aitkin
Yay for off leash park!
It is good that you are concerned about river water quality. We did consider this in the plan, there will be doggie doo pick up stations on site, and trash service. It is also across the road from the river which will minimize runoff. The area where the dog park will go is in a currently unutilized area of Kiwanis park, down by the community garden and the water treatment holding tank. This is not a current kid's play area. There is room and willingness for brainerd parks and rec to serve the outdoor recreational needs of many different users, and for that I am very gratefull!
Do you really think it should
Do you really think it should be the tax payers responsibility to maintain a "park" so the dogs have a place to take a dump.
Missionary,
we already pay for places that kids dump, why not dogs?