Foothills off-leash dog park could open as early as spring

Kirk Boxleitner | Jan 19, 20230

The Friends of Lake Cushman Dog Park spoke to the Shelton-Mason County Journal about what lies ahead for the nonprofit group in the wake of its recent progress.

Bill Long, treasurer for the group, said the group’s efforts to create an off-leash dog park in Mason County yielded the signing of an agreement by members of the Friends of Lake Cushman Dog Park, a 501(c)(3) organization, and Mason County to provide such a dog park at the county’s current Foothills Park, at 241 Foothills Park Road near Hoodsport.

The Friends of Lake Cushman Dog Park agreed to provide $9,235 to augment Mason County’s funding to complete the dog park’s fencing, for which Patriot Fencing has been awarded the bid.

Long said his group is responsible for continuing to monitor the park, and providing waste bags and any other amenities it might require.

With the group set to provide four doggy waste stations, Long expected they would likely spend between $400 to $800 per year on doggy waste bags alone, depending on the number of visitors to the dog park.

“The park will not be monitored full time,” Long said. “However, our volunteers will be on site daily for several hours, checking for waste, restocking waste bags and answering questions from visitors. We’ll track our volunteer hours when the park opens, but I’m anticipating approximately 40 man-hours per week.”

Long said the group has committed to providing benches, shelter areas, water stations and possibly exercise equipment.

In addition to playing “an active role in the planning and advocacy of the park’s future,” Long described his group’s responsibilities as “initiating and coordinating” volunteer projects and activities, and raising

money for not only park projects and activities, but also its maintenance and improvements.

“We are the first organization to sign an agreement with the newly adopted ‘Friends of Mason County Parks and Trails Program’ that was approved by the Mason County commissioners,” Long said. “All three commissioners have been instrumental in approving the program, which is designed to partner with community groups like ours, to provide support and volunteers to help improve the parks and trails within Mason County.”

Long thanked the community for its support, and Mason County Parks and Trails Department, headed by John Taylor.

“It has been a long time coming, but we have finally succeeded,” Long said.

The group’s plans for a grand opening and other events to help provide funding for the park are awaiting a construction timeline and the completion of the dog park’s fencing.

Long is hoping for a grand opening in February or March, to be followed by a summer event, with “doggy activities” and contests, and a winter event, with “Santa Paws” pictures, with other events eventually scheduled for the rest of the year.

“We are open to any new ideas or events that members of the community may want to add,” said Long, who placed the group’s current membership at 59 families, with 14 new members and supporters added in 2022, which also saw total donations of $1,950. “Our membership has grown over the last year, with many significant donations, which allowed us to provide the needed funding for the existing fencing. We anticipate more volunteers joining with us to enhance the park.”

The Friends of Lake Cushman Dog Park’s annual memberships are $10 per family. Donations and membership fees can be sent to:

Friends of Lake Cushman Dog Park

P.O. Box 851

Hoodsport, WA 98548-0851

The Facebook page “Lake Cushman Dog Park” provides the public with information on the progress of the park, and the group’s email is [email protected].