EASTHAMPTON — The Friends of the Easthampton Dog Park and Nini’s Ristorante are inviting the public to come ‘Raise some Dough’ for the future Easthampton Dog Park inside Nonotuck Park.
Nini’s will host the Jan. 27 event from 4-9 p.m., and 10% of all sales — eat-in and take-out and bar purchases — will benefit the construction of the incoming dog park.
“When we were tabling at the farmers market in the summer, one of our board members saw a family member of Nini’s passing by, they chatted, and they said, ‘why don’t you come do the fundraiser here?’ and so that’s what we’re doing,” said Friends of the Easthampton Dog Park President Joan Kurtz. “We’re glad that not only did they offer it to us, but we’re keeping it in Easthampton.”
Kurtz told Reminder Publishing that the fundraiser continues the group’s efforts to raise money toward the new park’s construction project. She added that a beloved community restaurant like Nini’s is a great partner in these efforts.
“We have more than 450, not just residents, but also people from neighboring communities, who are on the email list who want this dog park,” said Kurtz. “Easthampton is a great city. I’m glad we moved here from New Hampshire. I’m glad we chose Easthampton as our home city. The people here are wonderful. They want this as badly as the board does, and it will happen. It may not actually be done until 2027, but we’re looking forward.”
In the closing months of 2025, the Friends of the Easthampton Dog Park received a $200,000 donation from a former Easthampton resident and secured $23,500 from the Community Preservation Act Committee to pay Canon Landscape Architecture to finalize design plans. Once design plans are completed, the Friends will have a clearer look at the final cost of the project and how much more they need in funding to meet the final cost. Early estimates of the project were $360,000, but the number is subject to change.
Kurtz added while fundraising efforts like this upcoming one will continue to help and make a difference in final costs, the group will once again ask the CPA Committee for funding in 2026 for the project. Once the design is complete, the project can then go out for bid, and from that point, a final cost for the park’s construction will be determined.
The group will then need to secure the remaining funds for the project.
“I very often take our dog to the South Hadley Dog Park, and I’m in touch with their board to see how they went through the process for their park, and how they added benches and things as they went along [post-construction of park],” explained Kurtz.
In the meantime, the Friend’s “Sponsorship Solicitation” option is still available for people looking to support the project. Those who fill out the form can pledge financial assistance for the new park through donations or sponsorship additions to the park. Kurtz added that thanks to a few sponsors, the park already has two benches and three waste stations, items that can now be subtracted from early estimates of the project’s price.
“They started with a bare minimum, and then you work on the others [benches, pet fountains] later. It’s the same thing that can happen here at Nonotuck Park, but Parks and Rec. want to see all the funds that will cover the entire construction of the park before they do any work, and I can appreciate that,” Kurtz said.
To learn more or get involved with the Sponsorship Solicitation, visit easthamptondogpark.org/donors-and-sponsors.
Kurtz said the Friends of the Easthampton Dog Park will stay committed to fundraising efforts in 2026, with plans already set for them to have tables at various city events, like the Easthampton Farmers Market or Cultural Chaos, as well as their signature fundraiser in the spring, Jesse’s Ride. She added the public should keep an eye out for members of the Friends group amongst the community in 2026 as they continue to seek support for the project.
“It’s a great community and city and like I said, I’m glad I’m living here and a part of it,” said Kurtz.
