The idea for a canine park in Sartell is a doggone good one.
Imagine, if you will, all kinds of happy dogs and happy owners gathered in Pinecone Central Park, enjoying a summer day. Dogs are being walked. Owners are chatting with one another. Many of the dogs and owners are having fun with bounding, bouncing bow-wows catching and retrieving frisbees or other fun activities.
The dog park, hopefully, will have walking trails, a water source, a dog-waste sanitation station and a beautiful and varied landscape on which to romp and roam.
Another use for the park would be a site to host educational programs about dog care, perhaps with guest speakers from the Tri-County Humane Society. It could even be a good venue for various dog-training classes and even dog shows and pet parades.
Sometimes a great idea is a very simple one, and this is an example of that. What is needed now are city residents who are willing to serve on the Dog Park Committee. City staff wants to hear ideas from the committee, specifically what kind of amenities people wish to see in the park. As far as amenities go, the sky’s the limit, depending on how much money can be raised. That will be another function of the committee – to start fundraisers for the park. At this point, the City of Sartell is considering pitching in $10,000 to help start-up costs for the dog park. Donations and other means of raising funds will go a long way, over time, to pay for amenities that will be placed on a wish list by Dog Park Committee members.
This project won’t cost a ton of money. For one thing, much of the work could be accomplished through volunteerism and donated materials. For another thing, once the fledgling park opens this early summer, it would be a perfect place to host a fun fundraiser or a series of fundraisers involving both dogs and people.
We urge all dog-lovers to attend the committee-formation meeting from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 3 at Sartell City Hall. Those who cannot make that meeting but want to become involved should call 320-258-7306 or email Anita Rasmussen at anita@sartell.com. There is no limit to the number of members who can be on the committee. Ideas are welcome from anyone, even from people who do not want to be on the committee.
We hope all Sartell residents rally ’round this idea for a Sartell Dog Park. It’s bound to be a bow-wow-wonderful park.