PROJECTS FOR POOCHES
City dog park now in its second official season
Saratoga Dog Park, a safe place for dogs to run and play, is now in its second official season, with projects planned to make it even better – and hopes of getting more people and their beloved pooches involved.
“We have a passion for dogs,” said Eric Spaulding, one of the people who began to pursue the dog park in earnest in 2012 with several other volunteers, including Karissa Desofi. “Our relationship kind of blossomed at the dog park.”
And, thanks to the efforts of Spaulding, Desofi and like-minded dog lovers, the fenced-in park on Crescent Street near South Broadway is blossoming as well.
“2016 was a great first year,” Spaulding wrote in the Friends of the Saratoga Spa State Park spring newsletter, in which he credits the state park and public input for helping the dog park along. He now has a seat on the nonprofit Friends of Saratoga Spa State Park board of directors, representing the Friends of Saratoga Dog Park.
Spaulding, a waiter at Chianti Il Ristorante, and Desofi, who run Priceless Companions pet services, cherish their Kusher and Nalah, who were rescued from the Saratoga County Animal Shelter. They are devoted to the dog park and supportive of other Friends projects.
Collaboration with the Saratoga Spa State Park, the nonprofit Friends and assorted volunteers have helped keep the dog park clean and, through a variety of events, raised money for improvements such as a second double-gated entry, a dry well to help with drainage near the main entrance, and the installation of picnic tables. Successful fundraisers have included the Dash for the Dog Park 5k, Dog Friendly Happy Hours at The Barrel House, and a 5k After Party at the Henry Street Taproom.
Looking ahead, the Dog Park Committee’s wish list includes partial ground surfacing with crushed gravel, play structures, and landscaping with walkway extensions. And, Spaulding wrote in the newsletter, “Someday we will have a drinkable water source.”
A spigot is a desired enhancement mentioned recently by a few owners who frequent the park, including Lisa Schroeder Bevis, whose 9-month-old miniature schnauzer, Axel, is a regular.
“Axel goes up to all the dogs there, big and small, and they run around and chase each other. He goes up to the people and says hi to them also,” Bevis said. “It’s good for socializing, since Axel is an ‘only dog’. Also, it tires him out. He always naps when he gets home.”
Bevis said this dog park compares favorably with others she seen in her travels with Axel. “I think they did a great job with it,” she said. In addition to a water source, she likes another idea on the Friends’ wish list: “Agility equipment might be fun.”
These improvements will depend largely on donors, members and handson volunteers who are welcomed by Friends of Saratoga Spa State Park work on virtually every aspect of the park. Most recently, the group was recognized May 30 by the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation for their historical restoration of the Ferndell Trail in partnership with the Spa State Park.
People interested in getting involved in the dog park or any aspect of the state park are encouraged to visit www.friendsofsaratogaspastatepark. org for information about the organization, activities, volunteer opportunities and membership. The group meets on the third Tuesday of each month at the park. Email the group at info@friendsofsaratogaspastatepark.org and check them out on Facebook.