02/18/2008: "A Dog Park Planned for San Juan Island"

The recently formed San Juan Island Dog Park Steering Committee has submitted plans for a San Juan Island dog park for County approval. Thanks to a generous offer by the Browne family to lease land for five years at a dollar per year, the dog park has a temporary home.

The proposed park will be located on an undeveloped parcel of land between Browne’s Home Center and the fire station. “If the county approves the conditional use permit and fund raising goes as well as we expect it to, we could have a really excellent dog park as early as the middle of summer,” commented community activist Jim Stegall.

The park will consist of a large fenced area where dogs and owners can both be safely exercised and socialized. A separate area for small and elderly dogs will allow all to enjoy the facility. Adequate parking and benches will be provided.

Jim Stegall organized the Dog Park Steering Committee in the fall in response to his own need and the expressed support of over six hundred islanders. “My service dog Rinda spends hours every day in harness or on leash and she really needs a place where I can safely turn her loose to just be a dog.”

Lori Stokes, a member of the Dog Park Steering committee, said thanks to offer by the Browne family to lease the land, the dog park idea will become a reality. “This is only the most recent example of the Browne family’s generous support of our community. Gestures like this make our island such a special place to live. In recognition of this gift, we’re calling it Eddie & Friends Dog Park after Eddie, the Browne’s Home Center mascot.” said.

In addition to the Dog Park Steering Committee, which is developing the plans, the project is being supported by Rotary and Island Rec. Rotary will lead the fund raising effort and Island Rec. will provide an account for donations and expenditures as well as allowing the Dog Park to operate under the Island Rec. liability insurance policy.

February 23 at 10:00 AM will mark the start of the fund raising effort with a ceremonial First Tennis Ball Throw at the site. Jack McKenna, President of Rotary, won the honor by being the first to sponsor an eight foot section of fence for a $100 donation. “My poodle Quinn Berry will be the ball chaser, but the fence section will have a small sign in memory of my recently departed dachshund, Sir Rufus the Bold, who served my family fearlessly for over sixteen years.”

Anyone wishing to help make the park become a reality is encouraged to contact either Jim Stegall at 370-5548 or Lori Stokes at 378-4643. Fence section sponsorships are available for a $100 donation which will include dedication signage on a section of the dog park fence. The attractive and durable fence will be movable to the permanent site when developed.

Support is needed in the form of monetary contributions, in-kind donations, and volunteer labor for establishing the park and ongoing maintenance.

Members of the Dog Park Steering Committee include: Patricia Benton, Linda Browne, Liz Chadwick, John Dustrude, Dodie Gann, Jack McKenna, Debbie Pigman, Sharon Pigman, Sandy Rabinowitz, Alicia Schoultz, Steve Simpson, Jim Stegall, and Lori Stokes.

Contact: Lori Stokes, lori@rockisland.com, 378-4643