An Off Leash Dog Park for Kootenai County and Coeur d’Alene
Our MissionWe support and promote the development and sustainability of an off-leash dog park to encourage dog socialization and a community spirit among dog owners in Kootenai County, while raising awareness about the importance of good health, exercise and the well-being of our furry friends.
Who Are We?
The Kootenai County Dog Park Association is a group of resident dog owners and interested parties who are eager to see an off-leash dog park become a reality. Anyone with a sincere interest in this effort is encouraged to join the group. We have weekly meetings where we collaborate with each other on various topics associated with the development and management of a dog park.
Why?
Off leash dog parks have been very successful in other cities around the country. It has been established that there is strong public support for an off-leash park based on a recent survey done with citizens in the city of Coeur d’Alene. Below are just some of the benefits that come with having an established off-leash dog park in a community:
It provides a way to exercise dogs, which is so important to their health. It helps dogs gain the socialization skills they need which is particularly important at an early age so they learn how to behave around other dogs and people. It provides an area for other dog-owning citizens to socialize with others in the community and collaborate/educate each other on different dog-related issues. As dog park users learn expectations of proper clean-up and good dog behavior while visiting the park, more will carry these good habits with them when outside of the dog park (on other trails, parks in the area). The fact that the city feels it important to have a dog park helps to raise awareness of the proper care and treatment of dogs (proper licensing, vaccinations, exercise, etc.).
Spokane County opened its first off-leash dog park in fall 2006, on 3.5 acres just north of Interstate 90 at the Idaho state line. It has been exceptionally well received, and many northern Idaho dog owners make the long trek to that park on a regular basis.
Current State of Affairs:
The Funding Issue
Though an off-leash dog park is on the Coeur d’Alene City Council’s 2009 Top Ten Priorities, currently there is no funding available for it. So, until funding is available and a permanent park is established, the Kootenai County Dog Park Association is currently researching ways to get an interim site set up without asking for public funding. The Association realizes that dogs don’t understand things like funding and are very eager to romp and play with their pals.
Making Headway
Currently, we have a site that is in the process of gaining approval by the Coeur d’Alene City Council located at the intersection of Atlas Road and Nez Perce Drive in Coeur d’Alene. Plans have been drawn and we have received dedicated support from the Coeur d’Alene Parks Department. The site is adjacent to and just north of an existing city park, Northshire Park. We are confident that the dog park can be finished and opened in the Spring or Summer of 2010.
We urge all interested parties to lend their support to this endeavor, and are open to any suggestions and, of course, donations will be gratefully accepted. Please feel free to contact us by clicking here. We look forward with enthusiasm to seeing an off leash dog park become a reality, sooner rather than later, for Kootenai County and the City of Coeur d’Alene.
Tags: coeur d'alene idaho, dog owners, Dog Park, kootenai county idaho, off leash dog park
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January 22 2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments »
