For most of 2019, I spent a lot of volunteer time working to raise money and build a dog park in the City of Battle Creek. I served on a committee with 5 other people on this project.
On August 23rd, the Home Run Dog Park officially opened. After 18 months of hard work from planning, site identification, fundraising and construction, the Friends of Calhoun County Dog Parks were finally able to cut a ribbon and open the facility to the community of Battle Creek.
Debra Fryar, the committee founder, first concieved of the idea, after weekly commuting to other dog parks in the region. She met initially with Jeff Breedlove and myself at a meeting at the Salvation Army about community grant funding in March of 2018, and later recruited Roger Ballard, Matthew Dowing and Karin Ladley to form the core members of the committee which came to be known as ‘The Friends of Calhoun County Dog Parks’.
After many months of meetings at the Willard Library, and several site locations later the team finally identified the site around Bailey Park in October 2018 that the Committee, City Parks and Recreation Department and other City Officials were in agreement with.
Some of the agility equipment installed at the Home Run Dog Park.
It was not long after this that a source of Grant funding was identified through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Patronicity. Keeping the project moving forward, they developed an overall budget for the development of the park, and applied for a matching grant program with MEDC and were approved.
The official fundraising campain was launched in March of 2019, and ran for 60 days. The group originally set a total goal for $60,000, with $30,000 in matching funds coming from MEDC, and the remainder from a community fundraising drive. Taking to Facebook with their group page, and tapping local businesses and resources, the members not only reached their goal, but exceeded it by the deadline required for the grant.
The construction began in June, starting with the water lines, and followed by several weeks of fence construction. During the campaign, the group had also obtained a $5000 grant from the Battle Creek Area Association of REALTORs for agility equipment. They also received donations for the creation of the park benches through members of the Ironworkers Local #25, and a wholesale discount on the steel from Arlo Steel.
Working many hundreds of volunteer hours, the committee continued to work toward their goal of opening the dog park by summers end 2019. At the official grand opening, the Friends of Calhoun County Dog Parks committee received a proclamation from the State of Michigan Representives in Lansing, and special recognition from the Mayor of Battle Creek, Mark Behnke.
Over 500 visitors and dogs were estimated to have enjoyed the Home Run Dog Park on its first weekend of being open. It now will remain open year round from 7:00am to Sunset daily.
Use of the dog park is free. All dogs must have a dog license and the owners must read and follow the park rules. For more information on the Home Run Dog Park, visit: https://homerundogpark.com
It was a wonderful project to be a part of, and by far the best highlight of 2019 in my life.
