Hesitancy still voiced over dog park

Chamber of Commerce circulates survey about project

The Vermilion Chamber of Commerce is circulating a survey to garner interest in the dog park project.

As talk of a potential dog park in the city of Vermilion continues, the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce is circulating a survey to garner interest in the project.

Marilou Suszko, executive director of Main Street

Vermilion, said during an Oct. 19 City Council Streets, Buildings and Grounds Committee that her organization, along with the Chamber, have worked with the city’s Parks and Recreation Board to start up the dog park.

Suszko said she also has spoken with those closest to the late television personality Dick Goddard, who the park would honor. Goddard died Aug. 4. He was 89.

“We have heard from the Goddard family that they felt that a dog park would be a fitting tribute to Mr. Goddard, who brought so much to Vermilion,” Suszko said.

Concerns and questions about the park also were addressed during Sept. 15 and

Oct. 20 park board meetings.

During the September meeting, letters of concern were sent to the board, either illustrating limitations within the city’s parks for a dog park, or advising to install the dog park on other city property instead.

Still, as of Oct. 19, Suszko said the organizations involved in the park’s planning did not yet have a location in mind.

“A sight has not been decided yet, but we are exploring lots of different options throughout the city,” she said. “Nothing’s been decided yet.”

Suszko said it would be best to hold off on the request to Council until work with the parks board is complete and a more solid location request was made.

The dog park survey, available at www.surveymonkey.com/r/GZ5DLXS, asks surveyors questions regarding willingness for residents to pay an annual fee or donate to the park and if they are willing to get involved.