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![Sarah Nelson Katzenberger/ Brainerd Dispatch Bob Warthen walked his dog Bones through Kiwanis Park Friday. Warthen said he was excited about the new dog park set to open this spring at the south end of the park. ""We've been waiting for that," he said.](http://brainerddispatch.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/superphoto/11853142.jpg "Sarah Nelson Katzenberger/ Brainerd Dispatch Bob Warthen walked his dog Bones through Kiwanis Park Friday. Warthen said he was excited about the new dog park set to open this spring at the south end of the park. ""We've been waiting for that," he said.")
Well, that was easy.
The Brainerd Dog Park Committee asked for donations to help fund its dog park just more than a week ago and by Friday, they received them.
Just before Christmas the Brainerd Parks and Recreation Board announced approval for a dog park location in Kiwanis Park in Brainerd.
“I think this is going to be a really great thing for this town,” Brainerd Dog Park Committee member Dan Hegstad told the Dispatch in a Dec. 20 interview. “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.”
When Brainerd resident Bob Rudsenske read in the Brainerd Dispatch story that the park would need roughly $15,000 in donations before the park could open, he jumped at the opportunity to help — literally jumped.
“I couldn’t believe it,” said Rudsenske, who said he has advocated for years for a dog park in the lakes area. “I called the Dispatch, I called everyone I could think of trying to reach Dan Hegstad (Brainerd Dog Park Committee member).”
When Rudsenske and Dan Hegstad did finally connect, Rudsenske had great news, he wanted to make a donation. A substantial donation.
On Friday morning, Rudsenske met Hegstad along with Holly Holm and Laurel Mezner, also Brainerd Dog Park Committee members, and Parks and Recreation Director Tony Sailer to present a check for $15,000. Rudsenske said he wanted to make the donation — for the entire amount needed to open the park — because of his love for his own dogs. He made the donation in memory of his Boston Terrier, Buster.
Buster died last year.
“He was my pal,” Rudsenske said.
Dan Hegstad called Rudsenske “an angel” for his generosity. The group met Friday at the future home of the dog park at the south end of Kiwanis Park. For Hegstad, it was the first time visiting the location, knowing it would soon be the official home of the Brainerd dog park.
“This is even better than I thought,” Hegstad said. “With Bob’s (donation) we can start digging holes as soon as the ground thaws.”
The $15,000 start-up funding will cover the cost of fencing and signage for the park as well as amenities including a waste station. Holly Holm said one of the things on the Dog Park Committee’s wish list was in-ground water, so that dog owners wouldn’t need to bring their own. It was discovered this week that the designated location is already set up for city water. Something Holm said would be a major help.
“We’re going to try to use that to our advantage,” she said.
Sailer said they are projecting a late spring opening date for the park. Sailer said in the absence of a designated dog park, residents have used other enclosed locations such as outdoor hockey rinks and baseball fields to run their dogs, something Sailer said the Parks Department discourages.
“Hopefully this will encourage people to use space designated for dogs instead of parks reserved for kids,” Sailer said.
Sailer said because of Rudsenske’s donation the upgrades needed to open the park will cost taxpayers nothing. “The entire park is paid for by donations,” Sailer said. Brainerd Parks and Recreation Department will maintain the park.
The Kiwanis location reserves about 40,000 square feet for the dog park. Sailer said they chose the location because of its central location. Eventually the Buffalo Hills trail will connect through the park and meet up with the existing Boom Lake trail. “It all works together really well,” Sailer said.
Rudsenske said he is looking forward to bringing his new dog to the park when it opens. He’s a Boston Terrier pup, and just like Rudsenske’s previous canine pal, he too is named Buster.
SARAH NELSON KATZENBERGER may be reached at sarah.nelsonkatzenberger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5879.
Comments (49)
Add commentWell, FnB...
if a muskrat bit my girl, at least she's up to date on her rabies shots..
They need more money
An industrial pooper scooper that mounts on a JD tractor will eat up about half that 15 grand.
Sad
Why do you people have to be so negative? Many cities have dog parks that are very successful.
In this case a citizen donated the money. No cost to the city. Maintenance will be minimal and there will be a fee to offset that.
So why do you have to find fault?
"If only closed minds came with closed mouths."
NATO, Political Correct and Cultural Diversification issues?
- Will the English bulldogs and North American timber wolf be allowed to protect the French poodle from over aggressive German shepherds?
-Will all dogs be awarded ribbons for participating in pointing and retrieving leagues or other contests?
-Will doggy play groups benefit by allowing timber wolf and coyotes to join ?
The list is endless...this is too big for the Park & Rec Department to handle alone with the current work load. The new city council will have to create a new department. This is good for Brainerd and the timing couldn't be better...more good paying jobs we can all count on!
Barking and others
Try not to take yourself and this topic so serious. People
are using this for humor.
This may call for a United Nations discussion.
Should foreign dogs be banned?
Will there be a naughty corner?
Do we have to borrow more money from China for this?
Only people who love dogs can comment on this subject.
I happen to be
a cat person and you can't discriminate like that SML!
Cultural Diversification/Doggie Rights
Cats might gain entrance through the cultural diversification loop hole...they can't help they were born a cat but do like to run, hunt and chase things. Also they are similar being fur coated and have claws.They are loyal to it's owner but do exhibit somewhat of a independent streak...that could be where the loophole closes though.
Doggie rights...Will a illegal mexican chiwawa have the same rights of a naturalized norwegian elk hound?
Uff da!...maybe a hold should be placed on this and a sub committee be formed to study this more, do you think ?
sadie
They (dog people or something) are taking this serious because even in our humor, the dog people or something look silly. I wish there was another way, but they will look silly no matter what and they are angry and embarrassed about looking silly.
I agree to the commission. I
I agree to the commission. I hope it works better than the
fiscal cliff commission did.
We must be sure it is equally divided between big, small and moderate sizes. Also, colors, brown, black, white, and mixed will be welcome.
The best/worst part is........
that the doggy lovers care more about this than what is happening to our nation.
After they get your gun they might restrict dog possession (after all, you could sic a killer dog on innocent people) or confiscate your dog to feed the masses when the deficit is called in............
Be nice
I hope it works! I am fiscally conservative too but I am not going to trash this automatically. I seriously hope it works and I hope it becomes a popular, safe and fun spot for the area.
And by the way
This is not a MAJOR govornment/partisan debate, it is a dog park. Pick your battles.
What a waste of resources
Just wait until someone gets bit...cha-ching. See how much THAT costs.
At least it will keep all the noisy leg-humpers in one spot, away from those of us who can't stand dogs.
I live in the Hackensack
area but make many shopping trips to Brainerd throughout the year, and my dogs always travel with me.
This park gives me a place whereby my dogs can stretch and run during a break while we are in town shoppping.
Thank you Bob for helping make this dog park happen. Dog parks are wonderful. Anyone who has traveled to the twin cities with their pets have used the many, many dog parks that wise people down there have created.
The negative non pet lovers who are so quick to pour cold water on this park are most likely the same people who pour cold water on anything that is different. They stand out in a crowd for their little world does not permit anything new or different. They should be made to pick up all of the trash that people like them throw out of their car windows along hwy 371.
What a bunch a whiny people. If someone wants to use
their own money for a dog park, that is their personal business. If someone else wants to use their money for a skate park, or handicapped park, go for it, but leave those alone for something you yourself have no need for. One would think that common sense would play a big part in taking your dog to the park; ie: clean up after your dog, have your dog be obedient and people friendly, etc. I would never take my dogs there because I know they are spoiled little sh(deleted word)s, who have selective hearing, and not very well trained. The only problem I see is that people are still going to use all of the other parks in the area to let their dogs run.
What a bunch a whiny people. If someone wants to use
their own money for a dog park, that is their personal business. If someone else wants to use their money for a skate park, or handicapped park, go for it, but leave those alone for something you yourself have no need for. One would think that common sense would play a big part in taking your dog to the park; ie: clean up after your dog, have your dog be obedient and people friendly, etc. I would never take my dogs there because I know they are spoiled little sh(deleted word)s, who have selective hearing, and not very well trained. The only problem I see is that people are still going to use all of the other parks in the area to let their dogs run.
User Fees Cover Costs
The park will have a user fee (amount to be determined) which will cover the ongoing maintenance costs. The start up costs (aside from the land, which the city already owned) were raised exclusively through donations. This park will not cost taxpayers anything. This park is an example of a committed citizen group, an involved and innovative parks department, and a generous citizen coming together to create a wonderful community amenity. Let's celebrate when things work right!
dog park is a wonderful thing!!!
I would just like to commenton the fact that we moved to Brainerd over 4 years ago from Chicago, and one of the biggest things that we missed immediately and since then is a dog park. We have discussed many times on how we could get on a committee to start a dog park here, and honestly, just hearing about this, we can't be more thrilled. as someone who has lived in Chicago for many years, as well as in the Twin cities area, and even Sioux Falls, SD., all of which have dog parks that we have frequented, this is such a great thing that Brainerd is getting. I almost feel as thoug we are becoming a big city, with the arrival of Costco and the Olive Garden, and now a dog park! It is very exciting! I am writing this, as my husband was reading all of the comments that people have written about this, and I feel that some people need to be educated on what a dog park really is and how they work. My husband and I have brought our dogs to many diffent dog parks in many different cities, more than we can count, and honestly, not once have we ever witnessed a dog fight. dog parks are such neutral territory for dogs, that they do not claim it as their own, nor do they try to defend it. Am not saying that a fight will never happen, but if one ever does, I am sure that it will be very rare. Also, for those co mentors who ask how the dog park will be up kept, I really do not know all the details that the city has worked out, but any and all dog parks that we have been to, it is left up to the responsibility of the dog owners to pick up after their dogs, and I have also never witnessed anyone unwilling to do so. As a true dog lover, and any animal lover, I am so thrilled to have a safe place to bring our dogs to run around with other dogs and enjoy themselves, that I know that we, myself and my husband, as well as I am sure, all other dog owners, will have no problem picking up after their dogs, as well as be happy and proud to take care of this park. I believe that this is omehing that The area has needed for a long time, and I truly hope that the nay-sayers negative comments will not effect the plans of this park coming. I also truly feel that if you don't have experience in a dog park, and just feeling like saying negative things about it based on your opinion pulled out of the dark, then you should keep your thoughts to yourself. Sme people apparently just feel the need to have something to complain about as they have nothing better to do with their time, and if that's the case, then I suppose that is their prerogative. However, in the case of the dog park, I feel that it can only bring good things, and I would like to thank the city of Brainerd for letting one develop here!!!
Momof2dogsandababy
You come from a place that can't govern and take care of itself? A place that just totally breeds crooks and street thugs that may even become a failing countries president? Then you come to this area to ruin it like Chicago and Illinois is? Why? You just stated that you were happy there, why not go back?