This Wednesday, October 17th at 10AM is the opening of the long awaited Minooka County Park Dog Exercise Area. Kanook and I will be one of many gathering around and waiting for the ribbons to be cut and the gates to open.
Better known as dog parks, these areas that allow off-leash dog activity have been created around the country at an increasing pace. Finally being recognized as good for the dog’s owners as well as the dog, municipalities are setting aside land for them. Often people will be seen hiking the trails for their exercise while the dogs are free to trot around and sniff out things freely. Many people are like me. Where I go, my dog goes. If my dog isn’t welcomed, I don’t go. Well, there are exceptions.
The creation of the dog park happened due to donations from The Waukesha Kennel Club and from the citizens of the cities of Waukesha and New Berlin. The Waukesha Dog Parks Organization, Inc. provided some nudging and cheerleading.
Minooka County Park falls in the boundaries of Waukesha and New Berlin. Citizens of both cities have been asking for dog park creation. While Waukesha does have a small trail and area for off-leash dog walking, it is not fenced in and is adjacent to somewhat busy McArthur Drive. It is technically part of the city dump and doesn’t fall under the jurisdiction of the Parks and Forestry Department. However, Ron Grall and his workers see that the grass is cut and the trash removed. It is still a nice area if your dog isn’t prone to run off.
Ron and his department investigated several city parklands for possible dog park development. While there are several great areas with potential, funding the creation of one is nearly out of possibility as his department is the popular area to look for cutting spending by the alderpeople.
Retired County Parks Manager, Jim Kavemeier proposed to the city sharing in the cost of the Minooka development. It was decided that contributing some money from an obscure park development fund would provide the citizens with a dog park at a fraction of the cost that the city could do it. The same was decided in New Berlin for their residents.
Totally private money came from the Waukesha Kennel Club. It’s president, Bill Graham, is also vice-president of the Waukesha Dog Parks Organization. The Waukesha Kennel Club has a history of funding dog activity that benefits the general public. An example is donating a trained police dog for the sheriff department.
While it is late in the season, dog parks are enjoyed throughout the winter too. Enjoy it and be sure to pick up after your dog!
