Easthampton CPA Committee approves $135,000 request for dog park

EASTHAMPTON — The Easthampton Dog Park is one step closer to reality after the Community Preservation Act Committee approved a $135,000 request from the Friends of the Easthampton Dog Park at its May 14 meeting.

The approved funding will augment the $200,000 already secured by the Friends through donations and fundraising efforts to meet the $335,000 goal.

The group received a $200,000 donation for the project last fall from Richard Boyle, a former Easthampton resident who now lives in Southampton. The Friends’ fundraising efforts and the newly secured CPA funding allow construction to begin at some point this fall.

Friends of the Easthampton Dog Park President Joan Kurtz told Reminder Publishing that the group is excited to hav this nexte reached checkpoint in the process of bringing a dog park to the Easthampton community.

“They knew we just needed a little bit more, and they knew about all the fundraising that we’re still doing on a monthly basis, so it wasn’t something that was spur of the moment or a one-shot deal; they know we’re in this for the long haul,” said Kurtz.

Kurtz said that the Finance Committee and the City Council will need to vote for final approval of the CPA funding before it can be used. She said the upcoming override vote on June 9 will not have an impact on the funding already awarded, but it could impact the construction schedule.

“If the override goes through, the City Council can approve our funds, and we can then start literally breaking ground. If the override doesn’t go through, we don’t know if Park and Rec. will have the same manpower necessary for us to do the work as originally thought,” Kurtz explained. “We’re going to sit tight. Whichever way the residents vote, we will wait and see, and we’ll just keep our fingers crossed and continue to move this process as fast as we can, or as slow as necessary.”

Kurtz credited the Parks and Recreation Department for its help throughout this process.

“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,” said Kurtz.

In an effort to remain visible in the community, the Friends have scheduled another outreach effort, a “Meet and Greet” volunteer info session set for Friday, June 19, at Nonotuck Park in the pool parking lot from 6-7 p.m. Kurtz said the idea behind this effort is to make the public feel more comfortable learning more about the future dog park. She said she hopes that it’ll also inspire people to volunteer or become a board member.

“Board members will be there to provide a brief introduction to volunteering and answer your questions. In addition, we have some upcoming board vacancies. This is a great opportunity to learn more about serving on the board,” Kurtz said.

Those interested in attending can RSVP or send questions to easthamptondogpark@gmail.com.

Other Friends events

The Friends of Easthampton Dog Park will be at a Bingo event at the Glendale Ridge Winery in Southampton on Thursday, June 18, from 6-9 p.m. The event will feature door prizes, doggie-bling and more. The Friends will also have an information table at Celebrate Southampton on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Conant Park in Southampton and at 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. “We are so surprised when we are tabling at events how some Easthampton residents will walk by and go, ‘oh, I didn’t know Easthampton had a dog park,’ and we have to say ‘no, not yet,’ and then they find out more about it.”

Kurtz reiterated that it feels great to be another step closer to the construction of the park.

“I am amazed [by the support]. I am originally from Long Island, and that was 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 [I] can’t wait to break ground.”