Kimberling City Dog Park grand opening is a big hit
September 17, 2020
Cindy Hembree
When the Kimberling City Dog Park officially opened on Saturday, September 12, nearly one hundred people were in attendance. The grand opening festivities, held in the Kimberling City Police Department parking lot, served as a fundraiser for the dog park.
Girl Scout Troop 71644 was there to wash dogs for donations and brought homemade dog treats to sell. “All of the donations will go toward the funding of the dog park,” said leader Colleen Rose. The Friends of Kimberling City Parks was present selling raffle tickets for various prizes, including a basket made up of pet supplies. The Board of Alderman passed out hotdogs and other fare. “We are so excited about this,” said Lynette Leopold, president of the organization. Kimberling City Animal Hospital, Allphin Veterinary Clinic and the Tri-Lakes Humane Society also had representation there.
The park has been open since mid-August, but due to the COVID-19, the grand opening was postponed. The property is owned by the township and sits adjacent to the police department. “It’s a nice location and easy to get to,” said Kimberling City resident, Phil Korem.
The canine recreation area is approximately half of an acre, which is divided into two sections. The location for smaller dogs is quartered off within the enclosure for the larger species. Benches have been set around the half-shaded common area. Clean up stations, trash cans, and automatic waterers have been strategically placed throughout the confines. Dog themed music such as I Love My Dog by Cat Stevens or the Elvis Presley hit, Hound Dog, is piped through the park.
With their dogs tugging at their leashes, the residents seemed just as anxious to get inside the park. “They have so much freedom here. They can just run,” Julie Cogdill, a new resident of the lakeside city, said.
She and her family are the owners of two Goldendoodles, father Bentley and son Bleu. They were the first of the Saturday afternoon visitors to utilize the park. And like children, once released, Bentley and Bleu ran, jumped, chased and played like there were no limits.
Table Rock Asphalt Company donated the concrete and Like Brothers Concrete, of Branson, offered free labor. Dave Pietz, of Kimberling City, donated the sound equipment. Work on the dog park was done under the direction of Randy Reed, Kimberling City public service manager. No tax dollars were necessary for the project.
The city has a leash ordinance in place, so residents cannot let their canine companions roam free. The rules and regulations for the park are posted at the entrance of the park. The dog park is open from 8:00 a.m. to sunset. For more information, call Kimberling City Hall at 417-739-4903.
When the Kimberling City Dog Park officially opened on Saturday, September 12, nearly one hundred people were in attendance. The grand opening festivities, held in the Kimberling City Police Department parking lot, served as a fundraiser for the dog park.
Girl Scout Troop 71644 was there to wash dogs for donations and brought homemade dog treats to sell. “All of the donations will go toward the funding of the dog park,” said leader Colleen Rose. The Friends of Kimberling City Parks was present selling raffle tickets for various prizes, including a basket made up of pet supplies. The Board of Alderman passed out hotdogs and other fare. “We are so excited about this,” said Lynette Leopold, president of the organization. Kimberling City Animal Hospital, Allphin Veterinary Clinic and the Tri-Lakes Humane Society also had representation there.
The park has been open since mid-August, but due to the COVID-19, the grand opening was postponed. The property is owned by the township and sits adjacent to the police department. “It’s a nice location and easy to get to,” said Kimberling City resident, Phil Korem.
The canine recreation area is approximately half of an acre, which is divided into two sections. The location for smaller dogs is quartered off within the enclosure for the larger species. Benches have been set around the half-shaded common area. Clean up stations, trash cans, and automatic waterers have been strategically placed throughout the confines. Dog themed music such as I Love My Dog by Cat Stevens or the Elvis Presley hit, Hound Dog, is piped through the park.
With their dogs tugging at their leashes, the residents seemed just as anxious to get inside the park. “They have so much freedom here. They can just run,” Julie Cogdill, a new resident of the lakeside city, said.
She and her family are the owners of two Goldendoodles, father Bentley and son Bleu. They were the first of the Saturday afternoon visitors to utilize the park. And like children, once released, Bentley and Bleu ran, jumped, chased and played like there were no limits.
Table Rock Asphalt Company donated the concrete and Like Brothers Concrete, of Branson, offered free labor. Dave Pietz, of Kimberling City, donated the sound equipment. Work on the dog park was done under the direction of Randy Reed, Kimberling City public service manager. No tax dollars were necessary for the project.
The city has a leash ordinance in place, so residents cannot let their canine companions roam free. The rules and regulations for the park are posted at the entrance of the park. The dog park is open from 8:00 a.m. to sunset. For more information, call Kimberling City Hall at 417-739-4903.