SpokAnimal Dog Park at High Bridge
Fetch:
Dog Etiquette and Safety Tips
About the Dog Park
Directions
The Master Plan
Dogs of the Week
Dog Etiquette and Safety Tips
With the advent of the sunny skies, the dog park will be busier then ever. That's why SpokAnimal Director of Education, Carol Byrnes, will be hosting an open house Saturday, May 21, called "Dog Park Etiquette and Safety Tips - Don't Smell So Close to Me." During this open house, Carol, Spokane's premiere dog trainer and owner of Diamonds in the Ruff, will cover different topics. For folks well-trained, as well as those new to the dog park world, it will cover a broad range of topics, including:
-Big Dog area vs. Little Dog area--what is the difference?
-What a dog park is and is not
-Reading Dog body language in a dog park situation
-Tips for a good dog park experience
The Open House will kick off at 10:00 a.m., with station tours leaving every half hour until 1 pm. Suggestion donation for this class is $15, with 100% of the proceeds going to dog park improvements. Registration is the day of the class at the park, and each participant will be given a goodie bag which will include treats, coupons, and a $35 gift certificate for the "What My Dog is Saying" class at Diamonds in the Ruff. Each station will have a learning tool to teach the different rules of the park (Poop Scoop relay, Come When Called, Safety Scans, Keep Moving: Good Play vs. Bad Play) and groups will discuss individual scenarios that may happen in a dog park setting.
For more information on the class, contact Carol Byrnes 509.328.6959.
What a Dog Park is, and is not
About the Dog Park
On December 27, 2010, a 3-year contract between SpokAnimal C.A.R.E. and the City of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department marked the beginning of the first dog park within the City of Spokane.
At the Dog Park Dedication on January 13, 2011, SpokAnimal was revealed as the namesake donor of the new dog park. SpokAnimal donated $40,000, making it possible to begin Phase I of development. Installation of fencing for the safety of our best friends and the security of the community has been completed. Check back for updates on project progression.
Spokane Mayor Mary Verner and SpokAnimal Executive Director Gail Mackie
Eagle Scout Project Brings Picnic Tables to Park
He may resemble Justin Bieber, but don't let that fool you: 14 yr. old Keign Vedvick is not your typical teenager. While other middle schoolers spend the winter months searching out tasty powder on their snowboards, Keign (pronounced "cane") spent November thru April searching out possible donors for Trex building materials. After seeing a news story about the new dog park's lack of sitting areas, he decided that he would like to take on his final Eagle Scout project by building nine picnic benches for the new park. It's amazing that a 14 yr. old can complete his Eagle Scout requirements (usually completed at age 17), what's even more amazing is the way this kid wields a tape measure.
On Friday April 8, Keign, along with his father and two fellow boy scouts, piled up almost 1000 lbs. of Trex onto a truck and hauled it out to SpokAnimal Dog Park at High Bridge. From there they met with SpokAnimal Outreach Coordinator Bridgette Bossio, and SpokAnimal Director of Education, Carol Byrnes, and scoped out where they would like the new benches.
Amidst turning saw blades and the sounds of electric drills and screwdrivers, Keign and his crew took the better part of one of their spring break days off to assemble and complete the new benches. Folks in the dog park during the marathon work assembly came over to thank him - he even got a couple of licks too. The benches are a much needed addition to the busy park. Even during the gloomy early spring months, you could find up to 100 people and their pooches at the park. Now with the weather getting nicer, the park will be busier than ever, and the shady respite that the benches provide are a great place for the animal community to meet and swap doggie stories.
Directions
The project began when the Spokane Parks Foundation awarded a $12,000 grant for development of the Master Plan for the Dog Park. There are separately designated areas for small and medium to large dogs, and a parking lot with plenty of space for dog park users.
