Background: 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 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.
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April 09 2010 | | No Comments »
Everyone was smiling following a recent meeting of members of Kootenai County Dog Park Association and Doug Eastwood of Coeur d’Alene Parks Department. A closer look at requirements to make the future pooch playground safe, comfortable and attractive for canines and humans alike lowered the cost to just over $19,000 plus volunteer labor. The first estimate to create the dog park just north of Northshire Park on property owned by the school district was over $50,000.
Jon Mueller of Architects West has already donated the conceptual plan for the two acre site. And Coeur Group, a community service group of young professionals, has offered to install the fencing. Boy scouts want to help where they can too.
In addition to valuable guidance and labor contacts, the city parks department will provide the chain link fence fabric left-over from a previous project, as well as trees, benches, K-9 waste station dispensers, and about 1,000 lineal feet of wood chips to create the foot path. Some of the needed fence framing parts will be salvaged from the transfer station’s inventory.
Our Wish List
Key items on the dog park wish list include:
• Hydro-seeding: $6,500
• Two 12 ft gates, three 5 ft gates, miscellaneous fence parts: $3,800
• Irrigation components and labor to install: $3,766
• Four dog waste receptacles: $2,000
• Concrete for walkway and turn-around: $1,000
• Signage: $1,000 (Pledge Received)
• Two K-9 water fountains: $400 (Pledge Received)
• Site surveying and earth moving equipment operators
With the park now within reach, people eager to use the off leash park have been donating cash and the all volunteer task force is asking for more help in acquiring the items on the wish list. All donations to the dog park are tax deductible because the project is being created under the 501(c)(3) charity status of Coeur d’Alene Parks Foundation.
For more information visit KCDogPark.com or call 208-964-5995.
Kootenai County Dog Park Association
Coeur d’Alene, ID
paws@kcdogpark.com
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July 08 2009 | Dog Park | No Comments »
Things are moving along rapidly to bring an off leash dog park for Kootenai County to reality. Here is a brief summary of the latest developments:
1. Site Location: A site has been identified and is supported by Doug Eastwood, Coeur d’Alene Parks Department Director. It’s located just adjacent to Northshire Park at Atlas Road and Nez Perce in Coeur d’Alene.
2. Meetings with City: There have been two sessions with Doug Eastwood and John Mueller (Architects West) in which a proposed layout of the dog park has been tentatively agreed upon. It will consist of two acres, completely fenced with a double gate for entry and exit.
3. City Approval Process: The process to obtain approval from the City of Coeur d’Alene is beginning on April 7, 2009 with a workshop with the Parks and Recreation Board. All who are interested will receive a schedule of public hearings, and we will be asking for maximum attendance and support.
4. Tax Exempt Donations: The Coeur d’Alene Parks Foundation has approved bringing the Kootenai Dog Park Association under it’s umbrella for receiving tax exempt donation for installation and maintenance of the dog park. Please make your donations as instructed on our Donations Page.
Please check this site for further updates as they unfold. Thank you for your support.
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April 06 2009 | Dog Park | No Comments »
COEUR d’ALENE, KOOTENAI COUNTY IDAHO DOG PARKS
1. CENTRAL BARK
Where
Atlas Road and Nez Perce Drive, Coeur d’Alene, adjacent to Northshire Park – See Map
2. CHERRY HILL PARK
Where
North 15th Street and E. Hazel Ave., Coeur d’Alene, behind fire station. Just north of 15th Street Exit off Interstate 90.
Park Hours:
Six A.M. to Ten P.M.
(Please Review Park Rules When Entering)
Click Here to see the rules
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.
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January 22 2009 | | No Comments »
