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April 11, 2005

Grand Rapids’s first off-leash dog park set to open

• Privately funded dog park becomes a reality
• Pet Supplies “Plus”® Dog Area at Hillcrest Park opens on Saturday, April 16

The area’s first fenced-in off-leash dog park on public property – officially designated as the “Pet Supplies ‘Plus’® Dog Area at Hillcrest Park” – will open this Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m., at the intersection of Lyon and Benjamin N.E. Grand opening festivities include: a leash-cutting ceremony, “the running of the dogs,” throwing out the opening-day dog biscuit, special displays, a dog nutritionist, a groomer/trainer, as well as free samples from several major dog products manufacturers.

Further, BISSELL® Homecare, Inc. will have a pet products giveaway drawing along with free samples of its pet cleaning formulas. The Harbor Humane Society of Grand Haven will have pets available for adoption. And representatives of the Kennel Clubs that comprise the Harvest Cluster Dog shows from Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon Counties will also be present.

The off-leash area, a 1+ acre shaded area within Hillcrest Park is the result of nearly two years of site reviews, public meetings, and fund-raising activities culminating in major donor support from area retailer Pet Supplies “Plus”.

The vision for the park and the fund drive was spearheaded by a taskforce of local citizens – the Grand Rapids Dog Park Enthusiasts (GRDPE) – formed in 2002. The group worked with the Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department and area businesses to help realize this dream of dog lovers and their pooches. In addition to Pet Supplies “Plus”, the group received significant support from: BISSELL Homecare, Inc., the Gerber Foundation, Plenty Creative, Integra Printing, and Agio Imaging of Kalamazoo. Additionally, over 150 individual contributors helped underwrite the effort with amounts ranging from $5.00 to $5,000.

Jay Steffen, Director of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department, said, “This process shows what can happen when government, business and committed citizens join forces. All parties can proudly point to this park as a site that makes Grand Rapids a better community for people and their pets.”

During the fall of 2003, GRDPE worked with the Parks and Recreation Department to develop a full set of objectives, site criteria, and dog park rules. “We reviewed other dog parks across the country and determined the features that were especially appropriate for our community and budget,” said Dottie Rhodes, GRPDE member. “However, the City’s budget cuts forced us to shift gears and move from our role as an advisory group into a full fund-raising mode.”

On August 10, 2004 after an open review with the Fulton Heights Neighborhood Association, the City designated the site at Hillcrest Park.

“Our business is helping people and their pets nurture one another,” said Jill DeJager. Executive Assistant, Pet Supplies “Plus”. “An off-leash park is a great way for pets to become well-socialized and properly exercised. We wanted to help make it happen.”

Posted by Gwen at April 11, 2005 08:27 AM