WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Wausau’s Dog Park Subcommittee held a special meeting on Monday at the location of the future park to paint a picture of what’s to come in the next few months.
Newly elected Committee Chair Jamie Rice-Heckendorf says within the next few weeks residents can expect to see some movement at the site.
“We’re going to start with the fence,” said Rice-Heckendorf. “We’ll move forward with getting a fence in here, getting the parking, this fall they’ll be putting down new turf [as well].”
All those items are right on schedule for the group as they move work towards a spring 2020 grand opening. If things continue at their current pace she adds that a special “soft opening” could be scheduled for this winter.
“Once they put the turf down we won’t be able to have dogs in there until it snows, but once we get a good snow cover we would like to have an event or two on a weekend to get people out here so they can check it out,” said Rice-Heckendorf.
The group is continuing to solicit doners as well with several large donations already in hand. A Facebook fundraiser event has also been posted under the Wausdogs group.
The project has long been targeted as a priority by both city leaders and residents like Rice-Heckendorf, who hopes it will become a social gathering place for residents with pets for years to come. “When you own a dog and you are walking them, you know the neighborhood dog names, you don’t necessarily know the people. I think its an important aspect of meeting people and getting to know them.”
She says the park’s location on 4th street behind the downtown post office will also be part of its appeal. “It’s within walking distance from downtown, riverlife, the farmer’s market. So, it will be a great way for people to get to meet their neighbors and get the dogs out to play.”
