Dog park approved near Lake Cushman

Kirk Boxleitner | Jun 30, 20220

After three years of searching for a suitable location for a dog park, members of the nonprofit organization “Friends of Lake Cushman Dog Park” have found a home.

Bill Long, secretary of the organization, pursued options that included a proposed arrangement with the Port of Hoodsport, whose commissioners had spoken favorably of the group and its proposal during their April and May meetings, even though they ultimately declined to take part in a partnership.

But it was the group’s discussions with John Taylor, manager of the Mason County Parks and Trails Department, that Long said ultimately bore fruit.

According to Long, the staff of the Parks and Trails Department has been “very supportive” of the Friends’ proposal, which they then brought to Mason County commissioners.

“Our district commissioner Kevin Shutty, was also very supportive,” Long said.

He thanked the board of county commissioners for its unanimous vote in support of the Friends’ proposal at the commissioners’ June 21 meeting.

The commissioners sent a letter to the PetSafe “Bark for Your Park” Committee, also dated June 21, announcing their full support for the Friends of Lake Cushman Dog Park’s participation in the 2022 “Bark for Your Park” grant contest.

“We greatly appreciate our constituents’ efforts of trying to make a dog park possible,” the letter stated. “If awarded the grant to pursue a new dog park, Mason County will allocate

county resources to support the operation of the park and help its citizens organize such efforts once the park is complete.”

The county commissioners’ letter to the PetSafe committee described Mason County’s Foothills Park, situated just off of North Lake Cushman Road, as “an ideal site for a dog park.” In addition to its playground, basketball court and on-site caretaker, the letter noted that the 80-acre park features a cleared area that is fenced on three sides, and has access to water, restrooms and “plenty” of parking.

“Foothills Park (is) an amazing location for family or business picnics and for field games,” the letter stated. “The addition of a dog park would be an amazing benefit to Mason County as a whole. Mason County consists of a large community of animal lovers and organizations that would be ecstatic and thankful to have a place for their beloved dogs to run and play.”

Other benefits of a dog park cited by the commissioners’ letter include “bringing the community closer together, allowing dog owners a chance to be physically active with their pet, giving dogs a safe area to exercise and roam freely, and allowing dogs to socialize with other dogs.”

Long reiterated what he’d told the port and county commissioners starting in April, about how the Friends of Lake Cushman Dog Park have already raised close to $10,000 through garage sales and donations.

“We intend to begin actively fundraising within the community for both personal and corporate sponsorships,” Long said, adding that the total project cost would likely be in excess of $28,000. “Our next steps are to work closely with the Parks and Trails Department to firm up the details and provide specifics.”

The group also plans to conduct an open house at Foothills Park in July to provide more information to the community, and possibly even add to the Friends’ membership.

The public Facebook page for Lake Cushman Dog Park is at tinyurl.com/bp5dxyvk.

Long invited folks to send their questions and comments to [email protected], and their donations and membership fees by mail to: Friends of Lake Cushman Dog Park, P.O. Box 1700, Hoodsport, WA 98548.