Dogs are getting more than a bone -- a doggie park

Area dogs have something to wag their tails about.

The Williston Park Board is designating about an acre of park district land as a dog park. The land is in Spring Lake Park across the road from the Keel Boat and next to a parking lot.

Amy Krueger, executive director of the Williston Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, presented the project to the board. She’s in the current Leadership Williston class where students learn ways they can benefit the community. Krueger’s final project is the dog park, and she’s been working on it for a month.

A dog park is a fenced-in area where dogs can run around and play without having to wear leashes. Agility courses and clean-up stations for the pooches are also part of the plan.

Krueger said after this week’s park board meeting that part of the reason she thought of a dog park is because she’s a dog owner with two Labrador retrievers. Like many dog owners, Krueger considers her pets as family and thinks they should have a big public space to roam free.

“I just saw the need to give pet owners a place to take their companions to exercise, train, socialize without restrictions,” Krueger said.

She also said it’s an opportunity for dog owners to network.

Dog parks also encourage pet owners to clean up after their pets because of the availability of the cleaning stations. Another plan is to divide the park so a portion is for small breeds and a portion is for large breeds. This avoids a possible liability issue, she said.

The proposed agility course is to have at least a puppy hill and tire jump, she said, and Krueger wants to buy many more pieces if possible.

Besides support from the park board, Krueger has also received the blessing of the Badlands Bird Dog Club and the MonDak Humane Society.

“We are unanimous in our excitement for this source for dog owners to exercise and socialize their pets in a safe, healthy manner. Many of us have visited or utilized dog parks in other communities, and this is such a positive move for Williston as well,” Jean Lindvig, MonDak board president, wrote in a letter to the park board.

Krueger is confident she’ll have the support of many more dog lovers.

“I think dog owners are going to be in great support (of it),” she said.

The Spring Lake Park site is perfect because there’s parking and existing trails, it’s close to water for irrigation purposes and so the dogs can rehydrate, and it’s far from residential areas so people won’t be bothered by barking, she said.

Krueger is to begin applying for grants and seeking donations from the community for the project that may cost about $45,000. The park would include fencing and gates, water, clean-up stations, signs and agility equipment. The land is owned by the park district, which is responsible for maintenance.

Park Board Chairman Larry Grondahl said at Tuesday’s board meeting there is a need for a dog park in town and thinks the Spring Lake Park area is perfect. Williston Parks and Recreation Director Darin Krueger said it’s a good area because of the trees there that can provide shade on hot days.

Grondahl understood feces are to be picked up by the owners, but there may be leeching from urine. He suggested having input from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department before making a commitment.

Darin Krueger said the area is far enough away from water and it shouldn’t make an impact.

After more discussion, Grondahl thought the dog park was a good idea and it should be easy to take back in case there are any issues. Amy Krueger hopes to complete it by this summer.