Friday, Nov. 17, 2004

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Clearing, site prep underway
for Dog Park

By JOHN MUNFORD
Jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

Peachtree City’s Dog Park is much closer to becoming a reality.

With more than $22,000 in the bank, volunteer organizers are negotiating with the lowest bidding company for site preparation and clearing of the three-acre site near the city’s BMX track at the McIntosh Trail recreation complex.

Dog Park Association chairman Fred Bryant said the group needs about $25,000 on hand to complete the project. The committee is also getting quotes for the fencing that will create two separate areas for dogs to play in: one for small dogs and another for medium and large dogs, Bryant said.

The idea is to create a place for dogs to run unleashed in an enclosed area and play together, organizers said.

Also in the works are a special water fountain for both dogs and people

along with durable benches in nearby shaded areas, Bryant said. Some organizations have offered to provide the benches with commemorative plaques on them, he noted.

The committee’s general membership agreed to pursue the lowest bidding company for the site clearing and grading work during a meeting Wednesday night. The timeline for the work will depend on when the contractor can get to the project, and that was not clear as of Thursday morning, Bryant said.

To help the committee reach its goal, there are several fundraising programs including the purchase of commemorative bricks, personalized dog tags, and an adopt-a-fence program. Donations can also be made online at www.ptcdogpark.com or via mail with checks made out to the Peachtree City Dog Park Association at P.O. Box 3553, Peachtree City, Ga. 30269.

“We’ve had a couple of people purchase bricks for friends to remember their pets as Christmas presents,” Bryant said.

He also noted there has been “renewed interest” in the park from supporters who signed up early on in the process.

“Things are really going great right now,” Bryant said.