A park of their own

Jake, a 5-year-old blue heeler elkhound, thinks 14 years is a long time to wait.

That’s how long, in dog years, he has been waiting for an off-leash pooch playground so he can exercise and socialize with other four-legged friends.

Jake’s owner, Bob MacDonald, is a member of the Kootenai County Dog Park Association who has been donating his time and energy to raise the necessary funds to build the park.

“Off leash dog parks have been very successful in other cities around the country,” MacDonald said.

Spokane County opened its first off-leash dog park, Gateway Park, in 2006. It’s located on 3.5 acres just north of Interstate 90 at the Washington-Idaho state line.

“It has been exceptionally well received, and many North Idaho dog owners make the long trek to that park on a regular basis,” MacDonald said.

A recent Coeur d’Alene citizens’ survey confirmed there is strong public support. “If we build it, we know the dogs will come,” MacDonald said.

Bonnie Warwick, another volunteer association member, adopted Scooter, an abandoned papillon puppy three years ago.

“A benefit of the park is that it will provide an area for dog-owning citizens to socialize and educate each other on dog-related issues,” Warwick said. “It will also help raise awareness of the proper care and treatment of dogs and proper pet-i-quette.”

The dog park effort was started in October 2008, according to Dorothy Hatch, another association member. Thanks to the Coeur d’Alene School District a two-acre site at Northshire Park, just off Atlas Road and Nez Perce Drive, has been secured. The park has restrooms, parking and an infrastructure that will save money when construction begins.

The total cost of the project will be approximately $50,000. The association has received more than $7,000 in private and business donations, as well as many in-kind donations.

The design was donated by Jon Mueller of Architects West, and the labor will be donated by the Coeur d’Alene Parks Department. COEUR Group, a community service group of young professionals, has offered to install the fencing and the Boy Scouts want to help also.

“The community has really pitched in with donations of cash, services, and products,” MacDonald said.

A successful “temporary dog park” at McEuen Field, in downtown Coeur d’Alene, was held in October, when the city allowed dog owners to let their canines roam leash-free.

“It was a joyous turnout of furry, four-legged pets and their two-legged owners. It was a beautiful experience with lots of happy tails,” Warwick said.

One of the ongoing park fundraisers is the “Give Your Dog a Bone” campaign. An engraved brass dog bone can be purchased for $30 with a personal memorial or message that honors a canine pal. After the park is built, the brass bones will be displayed at the “Paw-villion.”

Another effort to raise money has begun at Christmas by the Lake, 519 Sherman Ave., in Coeur d’Alene. Owner Mary Peak and ceramic artist Kathy Taylor are donating their time to sell and personalize ceramic dog bone ornaments for $10.

“After all the recent fundraising efforts, we only need about $18,000 to celebrate with a leash-cutting ceremony,” Hatch said.

The dog park association meets at 6 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library. Interested parties are encouraged to attend and lend their support.

“We are confident that the dog park can be finished and opened in the spring/summer of 2010 thanks to the generosity of our community,” MacDonald said.