We’re going to the dogs
We have a number of parks in Imperial Valley, but not too many. For the size of our population, we’re “under-parked” so to speak. In recent years, the City of El Centro has been upgrading its parks and recreation facilities thanks to increased sales tax revenues and a perceptive city staff that has successfully pursued grant and bond programs.
But the only city in the Valley that has a dog park is the City of Imperial. I haven’t been to it, though friends have. I’ve been to dog parks in San Diego and have visited dog beaches, how nice.
This is about to change. If the current proposal is approved, El Centro will start building a dog park in the near future. Thanks to the Imperial Valley Community Foundation, a dog park is being designed and will be proposed to the El Centro City Council at an upcoming meeting.
At last weeks Parks, Recreation and Library meeting, Phil and Elsie Heald explained the dog park proposal to the commission. The Community Foundation is committed to granting $500,000 for designing and building a park christened “Unleashed” to be located at Park Avenue and Seventh Street. As a representative of Duggins Construction, the park contractor, explained, sewer lines and electrical connections, beloved infrastructure, will need to be provided by the city. At this time, the city council’s inclination to support the dog park is unknown. However, the city’s Community Services Commission, which encompasses parks, recreation and library, endorsed the Heald’s proposal as it goes to council. I am a member of the commission.
The construction plans show a detailed park with walking paths, restrooms, lighting, picnic tables, and separate areas for large and small dogs. This is a first-class dog park as well as a walking space for people. The Healds who have maintained businesses in the Valley for decades have reinvested in the community through the foundation. They have traveled extensively in their retirement usually accompanied by a dog so they have visited a great many dog parks. The design for the El Centro park reflects this knowledge.
As someone mentioned to me after the meeting, there are numerous deserving projects for the infusion of $500,000. I believe so. Yet, the dogs need a break, too, a place to run and play. I don’t have a dog in this project, but I’ve been a dog sitter for my daughter who has been active in animal rescue and adoption. Plus, walking your dog gets you to exercise as well. So, I’m inclined to support the proposal especially if the dog owners pick up after their pets. Fair is fair.
But life and project proposals are never isolated. I recently talked with Devon Apodaca who runs the Imperial Valley Humane Society. IVHS is competing for a grant to upgrade it’s rundown shelter facility. To compete with about a dozen other shelters nationally, IVHS had to submit a video of its needs to nationalrescuedogday.com. Evidently, the shelter requires a total revamp to include cooling and heating, new kennels, and other renovations. So there is lots to do.
IVHS supporters were asked to view the video online and vote. Grants will be allotted according to the number of votes each shelter receives. As I learned, you can only vote once from each IP address. I believe the voting is over. However, the grant, at its maximum of $10,000 is sure to be well below the needs of IVHS. There are numerous animal lovers in the Valley, but many are unaware of IVHS needs, or they are unmotivated to support our primary shelter. By the way, IVHS serves the entire Valley and runs weekly successful pet adoptions. Check out this paper on Mondays.
There are always more demands than can be met. Both of these projects are worthy. I hope that people, especially animal owners, will come forward to support them. This means monetary and political support. Walk your dog, feed your cat, and mail a check to the IV Humane Society. Support the dog park when it comes up for a council vote.