Planning on Havre Dog Park continues

The Havre Dog Park Club is moving forward on its plans to create a dog-friendly park for Havre.

The park board voted on dimensions for its park when it met June 11, setting it at a 500-by-400-foot area for the dogs.

Havre Dog Park club member Shannon Bergren said the goal for the project is to have well-balanced, socialized dogs in a maintained, safe, peaceful place for the dogs to play. The park will be located southeast of the Havre Ice Dome.

“I think having an off-leash area where dogs and people can be social and get proper exercise would benefit the community,” Bergren said.

The Havre City Council in February approved leasing land to the club for the park.

President Chad Stewart added that the next step for the club is to break down exactly what needs to be done through the year to get a perimeter fence in to get dogs in, “Phase 1,” and what that looks like onward.

“We are breaking down, so we can break ground,” Stewart said.

The board must now send the outer dimensions to the city for approval. Members said the agreement on the area was considered a huge step in moving forward with fencing.

The club is seeking donations for purchasing the fence by the foot and the board agreed on taking donations of $10 per foot. The club will put the names of people who donate enough to purchase a section of fence either directly on the fence or on a sign near the entrance of the park.

The idea for a dog park began more than two years ago. Since then the club has held monthly meetings to try to get the park completed as soon as possible. Within the span of the year, the club has achieved in getting land and a contract.

There will be continuous fundraisers taking place to raise funds for the park such as “Bark in the Park” coming up Saturday, July 13. A 5k/1mile dog walk are being planned, and they will start and end at the dog park location. The idea is to have vendors set up. The board said it has already received donated food from a couple of locations, and some vendors have committed.

The club recently held one fundraiser, with Kate Kuhr and her dog Liam winning an acrylic painting in their likeness. Kuhr also drew the winning ticket in the video that was posted onto the club’s Facebook page. The club raffle raised a total of $565.

“Anyone is more than welcome to come to the monthly meetings. We also have different committees people can join. Fundraising committee, land and management committee are offered.” Bergren said. “We will also be looking for volunteers for the Bark in the Park and for doing some work to the land next weekend.”