Dog park proposal sparks creativity

A proposal to add a dog park to Veterans Memorial Park, 3701 Veterans Memorial Parkway, prompted some residents to show off their knack for design and creativity.

In June, the city of Avon welcomed residents to enter a contest on their best ideas for what the dog park should look like, and officials said they are pleased with results.

With nine entries from residents, young and old, Avon Parks and Recreation Director Clare Harasimchuk said the creative spark from the community was encouraging.

“I have to say that the talent was unbelievable,” Harasimchuk said.

“I can barely draw a stick person that makes it look like it’s a boy or girl or dog, so that was just really cool to see the talent and the ideas,” Harasimchuk said.

“It was actually really hard to choose because they all were so unique, and they all had a lot of the same thoughts and ideas, too, just to get the excitement from just general ideas to really creativity.”

And the winner is...

Avon architect Paul Burik was selected as the winner for his entry entitled “Avon Dog Village.”

A former member of Avon’s planning and parks and recreation commissions, Burik said his concept created a space for both dogs and their human parents to gather and enjoy themselves together.

Unity exploring community

Dog owners along with others with shared interests create a sort of society unto itself, he said.

The families know and socialize with each other, Burik said.

“So, the idea was to create an Avon dog village, not just a part of a village where there’ll be space, not only for the canines, but space for the owners to socialize and have an opportunity to meet,” he said. “The canine community is strong.

“I see people walking and eating, as they walk their dogs and etc. So, the idea was supposed to create social place to meet for both the humans and the dogs.”

More concept details

Additionally, Burik would utilize the fencing around the dog park as a design tool to incorporate different buildings and spaces, with separate spaces for large and small dogs.

Stages of construction

The current proposal would see the dog park constructed in stages in 2022, beginning with the fencing.

On June 7, council’s Parks and Recreation Committee voted unanimously to move forward in studying a 340-foot-by-160 foot dog park to Veterans Memorial Park.

Avon Mayor Bryan Jensen thanked the Canning family, another participant in the design contest, who offered to donate close to $20,000 in parts to construct the pieces and play areas in the dog park.

The park currently is budgeted for 2022.

Jensen said some of the work could begin even earlier with crews planting the grass this fall.

SUBMITTED DRAWINGS Avon architect Paul Burik submitted his winning design “Avon Dog Village” as part of a community contest for ideas on the proposed Avon dog park at Veterans Memorial Park. The concept would create a place for canines and their humans to gather and create memories.

KEVIN MARTIN — THE MORNING JOURNAL Avon resident Paul Burik accepts first place honors on Oct. 4in a design contest for the proposed Avon dog park at Veteran’s Memorial Park from Avon Parks and Recreation Director Clare Haramiscuk for his entry, “Avon Dog Village.”