Quest for Stillwater Area Dog Park Site Continues
The Friends of the Stillwater Area Dog Park's proposal for an off-leash park at the Boutwell Road Cemetery was declined by the joint commission on Wednesday, but advocates remain positive about other options.
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There won’t be an off-leash dog park at the Boutwell Road Cemetery site.
After The Friends of the Stillwater Area Dog Park’s proposal for an off-leash dog park at the Boutwell Road Cemetery site passed through the Stillwater Parks Commission in February, it stalled in the joint commission this week.
A tie vote (2-2) Wednesday night by the joint commission resulted in the dog park proposal at the Boutwell site being declined, said Allison McGinnis, president of the Friends of the Stillwater Area Dog Park. But that doesn’t mean the proposal was defeated—it’s a step in a different direction.
“We remain positive even though it was a setback,” McGinnis said. “We have support and will continue discussions with the city of Stillwater and we are actively researching alternative site options.”
Public officials in Stillwater and Stillwater Township support the concept of an off-leash dog park, McGinnis said, but concerns over the size of the park sent the Friends of the Dog Stillwater Area Dog Park back to the drawing board.
“There were another couple of sites introduced during the meeting and we will revisit a few of the sites that we previously researched,” she said. “We do have support, it’s just a matter of finding the right location.”
The Friends of the Stillwater Area Dog Park have been trying to get an off-leash park since 2008.
After four years, some supporters are becoming restless, McGinnis said. But it is important to note that this type of proposal takes time.
“Some proposals for dog parks move forward in a month and others take years,” McGinnis said.
The Friends of the Stillwater Area Dog Park are looking at other options and are currently in talks with the city of Bayport about a possible site there, McGinnis said. Dog park advocates will continue to look into other locations in Stillwater and Stillwater Township.
“We envision managing two or three dog parks in the area,” she said. “We just want to get one started so we can prove we are a responsible group of volunteers … and from there we can move into other areas.”
McGinnis said she understands the frustration dog park supporters have, but continued support is important so the nonprofit group can move forward.
A fundraiser aptly named Canines and Cocktails on the Croix is set for June 23 from noon to 3 p.m. at Shanghai Bistro in downtown Stillwater. A rain date is set for the following day.
The fundraiser will be similar to last year’s event with pet photography, music, door prizes, treats, food and drink specials and special sushi treats for dogs. The cost to attend the fundraiser is $10.
A second fundraising event is in the works for August.
Related Content:
Proposed Stillwater Area Dog Park Passes Through the Parks Commission
Viewfinder: Friends of the Stillwater Dog Park Benefit
Stillwater Parks Commission to Hear Dog Park Presentation Tonight
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Jill
8:36 am on Friday, May 4, 2012
Ugh i really wish the city would step up and get this done!! The nearest dog park is Woodbury!! A dog park would be a wonderful and welcome addition to the city of Stillwater!
Randy Marsh
9:39 am on Friday, May 4, 2012
The city is too busy paying lobbyists, throwing money at Harycki's buddies in Wisconsin and then giving money to the county and school district after a beatdown from the attorney general.
Jim
11:04 am on Friday, May 4, 2012
Having a problem understanding why Government must supply "Dog Parks". And then to top if off Government is using Legacy funding that was supposed to go to clean water and the arts for Dog Parks.
The Legacy fund is like any other slush fund, once the taxpayers are on the hook the Legislature finds ways of wasteing the money.
Shawn Hogendorf
11:46 am on Friday, May 4, 2012
Other than allowing this group to use the land, I don't believe they are asking for city funds.
The first proposal (at the Boutwell Road Cemetery site) called for the city to continue with “typical” park maintenance, pick up the trash bins four times a week and plow the lot 20 times per year. The estimated cost for those services is $2,150 per year.
The Friends of the Stillwater Area Dog Park would fund sign maintenance, provide satellite toilets, build and maintain the fence and parking lot, install park benches and a shelter; as well as install rain gardens with help from the Brown’s Creek Watershed District.
Obviously, details to whatever site may be worked out have yet to be determined ...