The Response: To fill the void, in late 2008, a citizens group was formed (The Kootenai County Dog Park Association) to explore other means for meeting what, nevertheless, remains as a compelling public need in the community.

Current Status: All planning, governmental processes (except for final Coeur d’ Alene City Council Approval) and many other steps have been completed, including:

¢ Designation of site (Adjacent to Northshire Park – Atlas Road & Nez Perce)

¢ Approval by School District 271 to use its property adjacent to Northshire Park

¢ CITY of CDA and School District 271 entered into a joint use agreement that is renewable every year for three years to use the school district site

¢ Site plan for a 2 acre dog park, including fencing, irrigation and amenities

¢ Public input

¢ Budget of $54,000 for completion

¢ Commitments for materials and services in kind valued at $30,000

¢ IRS Code 501(c)(3) Eligibility – (For charitable donations)

¢ Monetary donations and pledges (approximately $14,340 as of April, 2010)

Funding Requirement: An additional $10,000 is needed to obtain final CDA City Council approval and to commence installation of the park in summer, 2010. Beyond that, there will be ongoing funding needs to install future upgrades and conduct routine maintenance.

Dog Park Project Description

Outlined here are the major features of the planned two acre off leash dog park.

Parking: There is off-street parking already in place at Northshire Park. Additional, on-street parking is available, as well.

Fencing: The park area will be completely fenced with wire mesh. An existing Northshire Park fence will take care of the southern boundary, and the remainder will consist of a six foot fence to envelop the entire park. Doug Eastwood, Director of the Coeur d’Alene Parks Department, has committed sufficient wire mesh from an existing stockpile, but, posts and labor for installation will have to be supplied.

Entry: Access to the park will be from the south through Northshire Park. Entry will consist of a double gate arrangement providing space for dogs to be unleashed and acclimated before entering the main park. This section will be covered with gravel. A second gate will provide grounds keeping access from the north.

Ground Cover: Current plans call for the outer perimeter to remain in a natural state. A gravel covered pathway will encircle the main play area, which will be hydro-seeded, to be consistent with existing grass cover at Northshire.

Irrigation: Water will be sourced through hookup with existing irrigation available in Northshire. There will be two watering stations for dogs. Sprinklers will be installed.

Cleanup: Four waste stations will be provided with scoopers, rakes, plastic bags and disposal cans.

For Humans: There will be an appropriate number of tables and benches for owners and visitors.

Trees: The CDA Parks Department will contribute trees and there have been pledges of trees from the community.

OUR MISSION

We 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 regular 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

Establishing a dog park was set as a priority in the City of Coeur d’Alene Master Plan. In response, the Kootenai County Commissioners approved use of a seven acre parcel, east of Ramsey Road. An additional four acres has been targeted on the east side of this property at the City’s compost facility for a new animal shelter. The Kootenai Humane Society is organizing that effort. Given the current economy, however, the cost would be too prohibitive to add a road and utilities at the Ramsey location. 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 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.