By Jordan Baker
editor@estevanmercury.ca
There aren't many opportunities for dog owners to let their pups outside without restraint, but there is growing interest to create a community park where dogs will be free to go off-leash.
Coming to Estevan, Jennifer Gervais saw the absence of an off-leash park as an opportunity to bring something new to the community. She sees the proposal as a community park for anybody to enjoy, even just to have an outdoor lunch at a picnic table. It will also allow dog owners to let their pooches run freer than elsewhere in the city.
"We thought it would be great because a dog park provides a place to socialize. It's not just a place for dog lovers. I know in other cities I've been in, you have your elderly come down just to get out of the house because they can't have dogs," said Gervais, who noted she and her husband, previously of Prince Albert, are laying down roots in the Energy City. "It's something to add to the appeal of Estevan."
Gervais is part of a four-person committee, along with Tayja Zimmerman, Christina Wock and Dawn Klassen, preparing to get the park started. They approached the City of Estevan in April to propose their plans and to see if there may be unused space available for them to use. At the start of July, Woodlawn Regional Park granted the group an airy space near the Souris River.
It will just take a bit of work to turn the area into a usable park.
"There's a west parcel of Woodlawn, which is across from the barbecue area. It will need a lot of grooming," said Gervais.
That's where their fundraising starts. The group is looking to raise funds and find volunteers to help prep the site for future use by families and pets.
The site will require some landscaping work and removal of some brush and maybe a few trees. She said they will have to make a parking lot, and they expect fencing will be their biggest cost.
Gervais said the area in Woodlawn they received wasn't slated for any other development, so it was a perfect spot for a park. The plan is to have the park funded through donations.
"Eventually, if it was successful, we'd like to expand it for outdoor leisure and have walking paths or jogging paths. It's way down the line, but it's something we'd like to do."
The group is still in the process of going through their paperwork and an application for not-for-profit status.
Their first fundraiser will be during Beach Bash on Aug. 16 in Woodlawn Regional Park. The group will be providing security service throughout the daylong event. Gervais said they have volunteers but more are always welcome.
Those interested in learning more about the park, donating to the group or volunteering with the organization may contact Gervais at 306-981-9045. You may also visit their Facebook page under the name Off-leash Dog Park in Estevan.
"I want it to work with the SPCA and that we have postings for the latest pet adoptions. When we're set up and our fundraising is complete for our initial costs, I'd like to do fundraising for them," said Gervais.
As far as timelines to get the park up and running, Gervais said it can take some time depending on interest and donations. She said a similar park in Weyburn took about two years to open after the group began getting their ducks in a row. She said the committee is anticipating the project will take anywhere from one to two years.
"I think there are people here who want to lay roots, and the more parks and things you add will help people want to bring their families here and make it a long-term place (to live)."
