Dog Park Survey Available for Area Residents
Dog Park Survey
Interest surveys regarding the need and use of a recreational dog park in the Oskaloosa area are being distributed around Mahaska County. A task force of individuals from Oskaloosa and Mahaska County are making a feasibility study to ascertain the community’s interest. The task force is under the direction of RD Keep.
“This project is part of my Capstone project for Masters degree at William Penn, “ said Keep. “This part of the project will determine the need, interest, possible design, estimated costs and possible sites. The task force will also make recommendations for management.”
Keep emphasized his group is not necessarily the group who might build a park, but likely would have an interest if the data proves out the need and desire is there.
“The task force is charged with determining whether the community would support such a project and use the facility,” said Keep. “The survey will be available online as well as at a number of locations in Fremont, New Sharon and Oskaloosa. The survey takes just a couple of minutes and will assist in determining the overall desire of the community.”
Keep stated the task force is using the survey data to ascertain if a park is needed and how the community might interact with one. Once the data is assembled a report will be made to any group who would like to hear the results. Initially a report will be made to Mahaska Recreation Foundation. If requested presentations will also be made to the county supervisors and city councils.
The survey should is available on Facebook at Oskaloosa Dog Park or online at http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22D67YR832X
Keep said total cost for a recreational dog park would center on a number of factors including land acquisition, size of the park, fencing and maintenance costs.
“In researching dog parks across the country, the sky is the limit in terms of costs, “ said Keep. “Depending on if you use a professional designer, must purchase land and have no in-kind donations the cost could be much more. A project in Minneapolis has estimates from $121,000 to $186,000. This is for a park significantly larger than Oskaloosa or Mahaska County would be considering should the project come to fruition. Some parks have been built at a relatively low cost due to in-kind services.
