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Page 12 — Shelton-Mason County Journal — Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023
Foothills off-leash dog park could open as early as spring
lay Kirk Boxleilner
kbox/eitner@masoncounty. com
The Friends of Lake Cushman
Dog Park spoke to the Shelton—Mason
County Journal about what lies ahead
for the nonprofit group in the wake of
its recent progress.
Bill Long, treasurer for the group,
said the group’s efforts to create an
off-leash dog park in Mason County
yielded the signing of an agreement
by members of the Friends of Lake
Cushman Dog Park, a 501(c)(3) orga-
nization, and Mason County to pro-
vide such a dog park at the county’s
current Foothills Park, at 241 Foot-
hills Park Road near Hoodsport.
The Friends of Lake Cushman Dog
Park agreed to provide $9,235 to aug-
ment Mason County’s funding to com—
plete the dog park’s fencing, for which
Patriot Fencing has been awarded the
bid. *
Long said his group is responsible
for continuing to monitor the park,
and providing, waste bags and any
other amenities it might require.
With the group; set to provide four
doggy waste stations,bLong expected
they would likely spend between $400
to $800 per year on doggy waste bags
alone, depending on the number of
visitors to the dog park.
“The park will not be monitored full
time,” Long said. “However, our vol-
unteers will be on site daily for several
hours, checking for waste, restocking
waste bags and answering questions
from visitors. We’ll track our volun-
teer hours when the park opens, but
I’m anticipating approximately 40
man-hours per week.”
Long said the group has committed
Friends of Lake Cushman Dog Park Treasurer Bill Long, Mason County
Parks and Trails Department Manager John Taylor, Friends of Lake Cush-
man Dog Park President Bev Showacy and Secretary Julie Manley sign an
agreement between the nonprofit and the county for an off-leash dog park
at Foothills County Park. Courtesy photo
to providing benches, shelter areas,
water stations and possibly exercise
equipment.
In addition to playing “an active
role in the planning and advocacy of
the park’s future,” Long described
his group’s responsibilities as “ini-
tiating and coordinating” volunteer
projects and activities, and raising
money for not only park projects and
activities, but also its maintenance
and improvements.
“We are the first organization to
Ms gwmteri
Kitten Rescue
We have many sweet and loving adult and young cats available for adoption,
ready to
bring love and joy into your life! indoor only and a warm lap to sit on are
ours and the
kitties‘ only request.
Ms. Winter is an outgoing and sweet Miss who will fully explore any space
into which -
she is placed: She can be held and will let you pet her whenever you seek
her out. Ms.
Winter dues not like other cats and we are unsure about dogs. She would do
better as an
only pet.
For more information, please go to our website at or call us at ‘(360)
427-3167.
We have created a ’43 /
low—stress, healthy
-
pact”
environment 3
g with soft lighting,
sign an agreement with the newly
adopted ‘Friends of Mason County
Parks and Trails Program’ that was
approved by the Mason County com-
missioners,” Long said. “All three
commissioners have been instrumen-
tal in approving the program, which
is designed to partner with commu-
nity groups like ours, to provide sup-
port and volunteers to help improve
the parks and trails within Mason
County.” v
Long thanked the community for
its support, and Mason County Parks
and Trails Department, headed by
John Taylor. '
“It has been a long time coming, but ,
we have finally sutceeded,” Long said.
The group’s plans for a grand Open—
ing and other events to help provide
funding for the park are awaiting a
construction timeline and the comple-
tion of the dog park’s fencing.
Long is hoping for a grand opening
in February or March, to be followed
‘ by a summer event, with “doggy ac-
tivities” and contests, and a winter
event, with “Santa Paws” pictures,
with other events eventually sched-
uled for the rest of the year.
“We are open to any new ideas or
events that members of the commu—
nity may want to add,” said 'Long, who
placed the group’s current member-
ship at 59 families, with 14 new mem-
bers and supporters added in 2022,
which also saw total donations of
$1,950. “Our membership has grown
over the last, year, with many signif—
icant donations, which allowed us to
provide the needed funding for the
existing fencing. We anticipate more
volunteers joining with us to enhance
the park.” V
The Friends of Lake Cushman Dog
Park’s annual memberships, are $10
per family. Donations and member-
ship fees can be sent to:
Friends of Lake Cushman Dog Park
PO. Box 851 ‘
Hoodsport, WA 98548-0851
The Facebook page “Lake Cushman
Dog Park” provides the public with in-
formation on the progress of the park,
and the group’s email is lakecushman-
dogpark@outlook.com.
5n ”
ei‘v odee music, a regular
' exercise program
, and frequent,
individualized
attention. We treat
every pet with
affection, respect,
and kindness.
(360) 426-3052“ ..
360—426-1388
707 SOUTH FIRST [STREET
SHELTONATHLETICCLUB.COM
’ 270 SE Spring Place
Shelton, Washington 98584
E—mail: sylvan@hctc.com