Hoodsport dog park officially opens April 22

Kirk Boxleitner | Apr 13, 20230

Courtesy photo count

This aerial image shows the Friends of Foothills Dog Park, which is scheduled to open April 22.

The Friends of Foothills Dog Park (formerly Friends of Lake Cushman Dog Park) is getting ready for the grand opening of its dog park in Hoodsport, just off of state Route 119, on April 22.

The group has invited Mason County and Port of Hoodsport commissioners, as well as the Mason County Parks Advisory Board, Mason County Parks and Trails Manager John Taylor, Parks Maintenance staffer Carol Olson and Program Support Technician Anne White, all of whom the group credited with supporting their endeavor, along with the rest of the staff of the Mason County Parks and Trails Department.

"And of course, we want to invite the entire community to join us for this grand opening as well," said Long, who noted $1 tickets would be on sale for a quilt raffle drawing prior to the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "Thanks to the perseverance and donations of our members, we have succeeded in building a dog park for the Hoodsport and broader Mason County communities."

Long said that not only was the park made possible by their partnership with Mason County Parks and Trails, via the Friends of Mason County Parks and Trails Program, but that this partnership would continue to maintain and provide "a safe, attractive and professionally maintained park to enhance the quality of life for all who reside in our community."

The opening will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 22 at the park, 241 N. Foothills Park Road, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon, "come rain or shine," according to Friends Treasurer Bill Long.

Back when it was still the Friends of Lake Cushman Dog Park, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization agreed to provide $9,235 to augment Mason County's funding to complete the dog park's fencing, for which Patriot Fencing was awarded the bid.

With the Friends of Foothills Dog Park providing four dog waste stations, Long expected they would likely spend $400 to $800 per year on waste bags alone.

"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."

As for the park's amenities, Long specified that the group is 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, as well as raising money for not only its maintenance and improvements, but also park projects and activities.

Long tentatively anticipates a summer event to follow the grand opening, with "doggie activities" and contests, and a winter event with "Santa Paws" pictures, with other annual 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," Long said. "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."

Friends of Foothills Dog Park's annual memberships are $10, and donations and membership fees to help with maintenance can be sent to:

Friends of Foothills Dog Park

P.O. Box 851

Hoodsport, WA 98548

The Facebook page "Friends of Foothills Dog Park" provides information on the status and activities of the park. The group's email is [email protected].