by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
The dog park in Sartell’s Pinecone Central Park has received the “Best Dog Park 2016 Award” from the St. Cloud Times’ annual “Best of” contest.
Readers are asked to submit what they think of as the “Best” in the Central Minnesota area: restaurants, various other businesses, best amenities and so forth.
The Sartell dog park was among the winners. The park was a long time coming. A group of dedicated dog lovers proposed it, the city council approved the concept, and the planning began nearly five years ago. The city contributed some start-up money for the basics, and a group of volunteers held a series of fundraisers, as well as collected donations from area pet shops and clinics. Those efforts raised enough to get the park up and operating. City park employees were also hugely helpful in getting that park started, and they help maintain the park along with those who use it.
The fenced-in area allows dogs to run and play. The park is also a place where dog owners can meet one another, chat, compare notes on their pets and have an all-around relaxing time.
The nearly four-acre dog park opened officially June 15, 2015, as “Pinecone Central Dog Park.” Its motto is “Come. Stay. Play.” It is a grassy area fenced all around by a chain-link fence and has water amenities for the dogs, and some play structures. The park is located next to the large parking lot not far from the entrance to the park from Pinecone Road N.
The city pitched in $10,000 — money that came from dog-license registration fees.
The St. Cloud Times “Best of” award was accepted in the city council chamber by Sartell Mayor Sarah Jane Nicoll, Sartell Public Works Director John Kothenbeutel and dog park volunteer Jan Bartelt.
This is a view of part of the Pinecone Central Dog Park shortly after it opened in June 2015.
Jordy, a happy golden retriever, takes a break after a brisk run through Pinecone Central Dog Park. This photo of Jordy, whose owner is Kim George of Sartell, was taken shortly after the dog park opened last year. George was one of the most active founders of the dog park.
