The city of Clintonville is in the process of researching and possibly adding a dog park to its amenities.
Justin Mc Auly, Parks and Recreation director, told the Parks and Recreation Committee at its meeting Tuesday, March 31, that he met with a local student attending Fox Valley Technical College who wants to have a dog park built in Clintonville.
“She was really passionate about getting a dog park here,” Mc Auly said.
Mc Auly added that several citizens have spoken to him in the past about having a dog park built in Clintonville.
The student’s idea was for a dog park to be built by Clintonville Lanes. Mc Auly said that wasn’t feasible since land would need to be purchased for that to happen.
“I don’t think anybody’s going to give us land over there even though there is a lot of space that hasn’t been used ever,” Mc Auly said.
Mc Auly said the best possibility for a dog park is if one of the city’s parks were used.
“We have some green space that’s really not being used,” he said.
Mc Auly informed the committee that he measured some areas in the city parks to see if a dog park would be feasible in any of them.
The first park he mentioned was Bucholtz Park. The other location was Pigeon Lake Wayside.
“I think this is going to have more acreage because the parking lot is almost done and you don’t have that many boundaries like the soccer fields and the volleyball courts and the road,” Mc Auly said.
The base of a sledding hill is a concern at the Pigeon Lake location. He said it would probably have to be moved to the west to accommodate a dog park.
Mc Auly informed the committee that he’d like to city to make a decision within the next month as to which city park could be used for a dog park, if any.
The student who wants the dog park built plans to do the fundraising for the dog park, Mc Auly said. He also said grants may be available. He also mentioned that other area communities have recently added dog parks, including New London and Shawano.
Mc Auly said his preference was Pigeon Lake Wayside because it is located away from residential areas. Also, it would eliminate the concern of soccer and volleyballs going into the fenced-in dog park area.
Committee members expressed some concern about a proposed dog park at Pigeon Lake Wayside being so close to the water.
Chairwoman Gloria Dunlavy said overall she liked the idea of a dog park in Clintonville, but was concerned about building it at Bucholtz Park.
Committee member Jim Krause said he was concerned about the Pigeon Lake location because people wouldn’t be able to walk their dogs to the dog park.
The committee members agreed those wanting to use the dog park would have to drive to it.
Several members of the committee agreed a dog park would be an asset to the city.
“I would say if it doesn’t cost us anything it would be a nice thing to say Clintonville has,” said Alderwoman Mary-Beth Kuester, who is not on the committee.
City walking trails are also located close to the Pigeon Lake location. This would allow citizens to walk with their dogs on the trails, and then use the dog park, Mc Auly said.
Mc Auly said before a final decision could be made regarding the Pigeon Lake Wayside site the city would have to contact the DNR to see if there are any regulations about the proposed dog park’s proximity to the body of water.
Committee member Maggie Hintz-Polzin asked if these were the only two options for a proposed dog park.
Mc Auly said that most of the city parks aren’t big enough, and Olen Park as the disc golf course.
The committee approved recommending to the city council that a proposed dog park be built at one of the two locations, with the council deciding which location to use.