Your DogPAC committee, Kim George, Scott Grother, Lisa Pederson, Sherry Thien and Jenna Trisko
When will the Sartell dog park open? Why isn’t there a fence yet? What’s taking so long? How can I help?
Members of the Sartell DogPAC (Dog Park Action Committee) hear those questions often, so we know you’re ready to get the party started at Pinecone Central Dog Park — and so are we. Here’s a little history, some clarification and a call for your help.
In April 2013, more than 30 people packed themselves, knee to knee, into a room at City Hall and brainstormed dreams for the ideal dog park. We had grand plans to create a model space, one to make the community proud — a park that welcomes everyone, with a covered shelter, drinkable water, an agility area for hosting events and even the addition of art in the park.
Shortly after that meeting, the DogPAC formed. In the last 16 months, many of you have visited with us at the farmers’ market, attended our meetings, emailed us or shared in postings on our Facebook page, stopped to talk with us at events like Rock ’N Block or taken part in the fundraising efforts at Blue Line, Buffalo Wild Wings and Coborn’s Superstore. For this, we sincerely thank you. Your support and enthusiasm motivates us, and the determination of our all-volunteer force has only grown.
We’re excited to lend our time to help bring you this park. We’ve made a lot of headway on the project, but plenty of work remains. We’re dedicated, determined and we’ll keep moving forward. To get this park built faster, though, we really need your help.
There are some key misconceptions surrounding this future amenity and we hope this Q&A offers clarity.
Who is paying for the park? Is the city helping with costs?
Pinecone Central Dog Park will not be built through tax dollars. Money to build this park must come through private donations — your donations — and through generosity of area pet lovers, residents and local businesses.
The city donated the land and committed $10,000 from the increase in dog-license fees to put toward capital expenditures. Unfortunately, $10,000 is only about one-sixth of what fencing alone will cost. The fence is the first thing we need, but additionally, funds for improvements (including basics such as trash bins, benches, walking paths and lights) must also be raised privately.
Do you share money with Pinecone Central Park Association?
Some people are confused to learn we can’t just get money from the Pinecone Central Park Association. While the dog park will be located at the developing Central Park, the Sartell DogPAC and Pinecone Central Park Association are separate entities, each raising separate monies for different projects within the park.
What are you doing to raise funds?
Recently, we’ve started to reach out into the community and we’re visiting with area businesses to let them know of our plans. In the next few weeks, we’ll roll out our Buy a Brick program, which is a chance to invest in the park’s future through a personalized paver that will line walking paths in the entrance and trail areas. We’ll also offer a Sponsor a Section of Fence program, sponsorship levels, T-shirts and plenty more fun things, including a family-friendly Fall Fun and Craft Show from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Waters Church that you won’t want to miss.
How can I help?
We invite you to join us in the push for the park. We want to see the fence go up as soon as possible — once we have a fence, we have the beginnings of a really great park and, best of all, our dogs can use it. Please help spread the word and be a champion for our animals — but most of all, please consider making a tax-deductible donation. If all dog owners in Sartell donated what they could afford — whether $10 or $10,000 — we could build the fence now. Our goal is to see dogs running together in Sartell’s new dog park in spring 2015.
Your donations matter. Big or small, they will make a difference.
Thanks to everyone who has shown us support so far; we appreciate it. Together we will create a model space where pups and their people can come, stay and play. Together we will build a stronger community.
To learn more about donation options, find us at facebook.com/SartellDogPAC and click on “About,” or visit our GiveMN project page at givemn.org/project/Sartell-Dogpac.
