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Kent County soon may throw a bone to local dog owners.
County officials say construction on a three-quarter-acre dog park in Tidbury Creek County Park will begin this winter, and Kent County Levy Court is expected to approve a 5-foot fence for the park at its Oct. 27 business meeting.
The bid for the fencing was a move intended to “get the ball rolling” on obtaining materials for the park, said Jeremy Sheppard, interim assistant director of the county’s parks division.
“Hopefully by next spring, it will be ready to go, if everything continues to move smoothly,” Sheppard said.
The park, which would be located along the South State Street extension, would feature two concrete pads and two wells that would provide water to dishes for pooches. The fenced area would allow the animals to safely run and play in the area without being tied to a leash.
In the future, dog owner Liz Shulties also would like to see the park install an obstacle course that would allow dogs even more exercise options.
“When I first got my dog, there was no place in the county where I could go and take it off the leash,” Shulties said in explaining why she approached the Levy Court about the project a year ago.
After speaking with Levy Court commissioners, Shulties formed the Tidbury Dog Park Association, which has raised approximately $4,000 for the facility through various fundraisers.This amount doesn’t include approximately $1,200 that volunteers have raised through selling inscribed bricks that will line the entrance of the dog park, Shulties said.
People still may buy these bricks, which can be engraved to commemorate a pet, a loved one, a special event, or a business, Shulties said, and anyone interested in buying a brick can contact the group by emailing kentdogpark@hotmail.com.
In discussing purchasing the park’s fencing, many of the Levy Court commissioners expressed support for the proposal and said they felt the facility would be a valuable asset to the community.
“I have not heard one person that lives in that area say they are against this,” Commissioner Allan Angel said. “They all just want to know when it’s coming, so they can take their dogs down there.”
Commissioner Brad Eaby served as the sole opposition to spend $8,570 that was left over from the projects at Brown’s Branch and Big Oak County Parks on fencing for the dog park. Given the county’s tight budget, Eaby said he didn’t feel it was an appropriate time to be spending money on this project.
Sheppard said the county does not have a specific timeline for completing the project and noted that construction likely would begin some time in December or January.
Kent County soon may throw a bone to local dog owners.
County officials say construction on a three-quarter-acre dog park in Tidbury Creek County Park will begin this winter, and Kent County Levy Court is expected to approve a 5-foot fence for the park at its Oct. 27 business meeting.
The bid for the fencing was a move intended to “get the ball rolling” on obtaining materials for the park, said Jeremy Sheppard, interim assistant director of the county’s parks division.
“Hopefully by next spring, it will be ready to go, if everything continues to move smoothly,” Sheppard said.
The park, which would be located along the South State Street extension, would feature two concrete pads and two wells that would provide water to dishes for pooches. The fenced area would allow the animals to safely run and play in the area without being tied to a leash.
In the future, dog owner Liz Shulties also would like to see the park install an obstacle course that would allow dogs even more exercise options.
“When I first got my dog, there was no place in the county where I could go and take it off the leash,” Shulties said in explaining why she approached the Levy Court about the project a year ago.
After speaking with Levy Court commissioners, Shulties formed the Tidbury Dog Park Association, which has raised approximately $4,000 for the facility through various fundraisers.This amount doesn’t include approximately $1,200 that volunteers have raised through selling inscribed bricks that will line the entrance of the dog park, Shulties said.
People still may buy these bricks, which can be engraved to commemorate a pet, a loved one, a special event, or a business, Shulties said, and anyone interested in buying a brick can contact the group by emailing kentdogpark@hotmail.com.
In discussing purchasing the park’s fencing, many of the Levy Court commissioners expressed support for the proposal and said they felt the facility would be a valuable asset to the community.
“I have not heard one person that lives in that area say they are against this,” Commissioner Allan Angel said. “They all just want to know when it’s coming, so they can take their dogs down there.”
Commissioner Brad Eaby served as the sole opposition to spend $8,570 that was left over from the projects at Brown’s Branch and Big Oak County Parks on fencing for the dog park. Given the county’s tight budget, Eaby said he didn’t feel it was an appropriate time to be spending money on this project.
Sheppard said the county does not have a specific timeline for completing the project and noted that construction likely would begin some time in December or January.
