Dog Park construction to begin this fall after council approves CPA funding

EASTHAMPTON — The future Easthampton Dog Park will officially begin construction this fall after the City Council approved $135,000 in CPA funding for the project at its June 17 meeting.

The proposed park needed $335,000 for construction to begin; the Friends of the Easthampton Dog Park had already secured just over $200,000 primarily through donations and fundraising efforts. The group received a $200,000 donation toward the project last fall from Richard Boyle, a former Easthampton resident who now lives in Southampton. Along with its ongoing fundraising efforts, the newly secured CPA funding allows construction to begin within Nonotuck Park.

Friends of the Easthampton Dog Park President Joan Kurtz spoke at the meeting and expressed much gratitude to the CPA Committee and the city for supporting its effort to bring a dog park to Easthampton.

“We appreciate all the work that Eva [Gerstle, CPA Coordinator] and the commission have done to get us to this point, City Council for approving us way back when, and the support that the city has shown us,” said Kurtz.

Gerstle said at the meeting that the Dog Park Committee will be responsible for some maintenance costs associated with running the park once it is constructed and open.

“While the matching contributions of $205,000 to this CPA appropriation of that $135,000 are primarily from that substantial donor gift, I know the Dog Park Committee is doing a lot of work to ensure the continued maintenance, success and beautification of the dog park through the raising of additional funds,” Gerstle said.

Councilors expressed excitement about the project moving forward and credited the Friends of the Easthampton Dog Park and its efforts for bringing this project to life.

“I just wanted to point out that there have been significant funds that have been contributed by the Friends of the Dog Park and significant funds by community members, and we haven’t made any mention of that tonight, but I think this is a drop in the bucket compared to the rest of the funds,” said Precinct 1 Councilor JP Kwiecinski. “I think it would help to inform the public that we’re not building a dog park with these funds, but these are being used to help leverage additional funds that have been placed for the project and are going forward.”

Council President Koni Denham added that it was important to highlight all the fundraising efforts the Friends group has made, including pet food drives and other in-kind work for the community to support animal lovers and to help bring a dog park to the city.

“We really appreciate all the dedication and work you have put into this project,” said Denham. “Certainly, I think this is one more opportunity for people in the community to get to know their neighbors and to make connections, and it’s not lost on me that we have a number of seniors who have been working very diligently to make this an opportunity for them, and this is a community that they would like to create and to foster, and it’s a resource for other individuals in the community who may or may not know this is happening but will likely take advantage of that both now and in the future. Again, your hard work and most importantly your persistence [are] very much appreciated.”

Kurtz told Reminder Publishing that the Parks and Recreation Department deserves a lot of credit for its help throughout this process. She added that Director John Mason has been consistent in wanting to wait to begin construction on the project until the Friends have the full amount needed to get it done in an effort to create a seamless construction project. Once the park is constructed, any future additions to the park, such as additional benches, pet rinse stations, or dog waste stations, will come from additional fundraising efforts.

To learn more about the donation and sponsorship opportunities through the Friends group, visit easthamptondogpark.org/donors-and-sponsors.

“We’re smiling because the heavy work is done. We don’t have to go in front of the CPA anymore, we don’t have to ask for any more money from the city, and we’ll just continue to do our fundraisers,” added Kurtz.

In an effort to remain visible in the community, the Friends have scheduled outreach efforts and different events to continue raising funds and support for the future park through the summer and into the fall. One of these efforts will come through an information table for the Friends at Celebrate Southampton on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Conant Park in Southampton. The Friends will also host Harvest Fest at Nonotuck Park this fall on Saturday, Oct. 10, from noon to 5 p.m.

Also, throughout July, shoppers at Big E’s Super Market can round up their purchases to the nearest dollar in support of the Easthampton dog park as well.

“We’ll be around. We’ll have our pet food drives and other events which are always very successful and show it’s not just about the dog park, it’s about the community and how the Friends can support the community as the community supports the dog park,” Kurtz said.

Kurtz reiterated that it feels great to move forward and be another step closer to the construction of the dog park at Nonotuck Park.

“I am amazed [by the support]. I am originally from Long Island, a very good community, but this community here has been extremely supportive from day one,” Kurtz said. “They are waiting breathlessly as we are. It’s good for everybody who just needs their dogs off a leash. We’re all excited about it and waiting for that last decision, and can’t wait to break ground.”