Bark Park Construction begins

Oskaloosa Dog Park (submitted photo)

Dog lovers are preparing to share in a paradise of sorts for their canines. The concrete work has begun at the Oskaloosa Bark Park. Fencing should commence in a couple weeks and organizers hope it will be open the first part of May.

Located on city-owned ground south of Edmundson Pool, the five–year project is coming together. The Bark Park committee has changed in membership over the years, but recent fundraising events and donations from the public have been leveraged with grants to make the community amenity a possibility.

“I cannot be more pleased,” said R.D. Keep, who has helped lead the project. “While we have been helped with grant funds from MCCF, more than 35 percent has come from private individuals. That shows a strong community spirit.”

The project size grew slightly when the fenced areas were reconfigured to accommodate ease of mowing for city park crews, who will maintain the facility once built and tuned over to the city. The park will be approximately 1.5 acres with an area for large dogs of 30 pounds or more and small dogs less than 30 pounds.

Steven’s Concrete has poured the forms for the openings and where the benches will be located. As weather permits sidewalks into the gates will be added as well as sidewalks to the upper tier benches.

“Our desire is to have a park that is not only a location for dogs to socialize, but owners as well,” said Keep. “Going through the process of research and information gathering the is significant empirical evidence that socialized dogs are quieter at home when allowed to run and exercise.

“As a non-dog owner, but having lived in neighborhoods where dogs were kept in smaller areas and not allowed to get out and run, I heard them bark and growl at hours of the day and night. Maybe this will help when the owners have an off-leash location to take them.”

There will be five benches located around the park. Two benches will be placed in each area and one overlooking the parks. The four inside have been donated in part in honor and memory of the four service dogs for Mahaska County Sheriff’s office and Oskaloosa Police Department. The other bench was donated in memory of another dog owner who like the idea of a dog park.

Waste disposal and bags will be available in the park to make it convenient for owners to cleanup after their dogs. They will be located in two different spots in each area. Other amenities may be added in the future as funds and ideas are developed.

Keep said if anyone would like to donate they can send a check to the city of Oskaloosa who is acting as the fiscal agent for the project. Checks should be made to the city with Oskaloosa Bark Park in the memo, or may be mailed to Oskaloosa Bark Park, 201 High Avenue East, Box 102, Oskaloosa.