Hot Springs group plans first dog-play park, seeks gifts to maintain project
Posted on Tuesday, August 19, 2008
HOT SPRINGS — Organizers of Hot Springs’ first dog park hope to be up and running before the end of the year.
Cindy Talbot, president of the Hot Springs Bark Park Association, said the park will be on an almost 2-acre strip of city-owned property at the intersection of Hollywood Avenue and Shady Grove Road. It will be bounded on the east by Shady Grove Road and on the west by Hot Springs Creek, adjacent to Hollywood Park and the Hot Springs Creek Greenway Trail.
“It’s in the flood plain, so no one can build on it, and if it floods, it won’t hurt the park,” she said.
The Hot Springs Board of Directors approved using the land for the park earlier this year, but its operation and maintenance will be the responsibility of the volunteers, Dan Bugg, animal control supervisor, said.
“It is city property and will be a city park, but it won’t be under the Parks Department’s authority. It will be under Animal Services and the volunteer group to maintain and manage. The board passed a resolution in May moving $ 40, 000 from our donation account to the capital expenditures budget so we can begin the project,” he said.
The next phase to be completed is firming up the park’s design and requesting bids for fencing and other materials and supplies needed to begin the project.
“Once we get that, we’ll probably schedule a groundbreaking,” he said.
When built, the park will consist of separate areas for large and small dogs, with a parking lot between them. Park rules for the gated facility, which will be closed at night, will be posted. Bags will be provided so pet owners can clean up after their pets, and water fountains will be available for the dogs. The park will not be monitored, Bugg said, and issues of use and availability of community funding will be strictly up to the volunteers.
“The board made it clear they do not want to spend any money to maintain it, mow the grass, or any of that stuff. The group will operate the park.” To help raise money, the group will sell bricks for $ 55 each, which can be engraved with a pet’s name, or as a memorial or celebration of a life. The bricks will be used to build a wall at the park, Talbot said. The group is also seeking a benefactor willing to donate $ 15, 000- $ 20, 000, which is tax deductible, Talbot said.
“The benefactor will get to name the park, and we will create a bronze sculpture of their dog to be placed in the park,” she added.
Talbot said it will be the responsibility of pet owners to ensure their pets have been vaccinated for rabies. She also said the park will be a definite benefit for its users and the community.
“I grew up in an area that had lots of dog parks, and they bring the community together and are a fun thing. I hope people enjoy it.” Forms to purchase a brick may be picked up at Petco, area veterinarian offices, or at Hot Springs Animal Services, 319 Davidson Drive.
More information about the park or how to become a member of the association may be obtained from Talbot at (870 ) 867-3659, or vice president Clay Hays at (501 ) 767-5201.
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