APRIL 24, 2023:
Dogs and their owners were treated to nice weather, training tips, pup cups, nail trims and hot dogs Saturday (April 22, 2023) during an open house and ribbon cutting at the new Pierre Community Dog Park.
Mayor Steve Harding thanked Pierre realtor Tarrah Sonnenschein and all who helped keep the process moving forward over the past five years.
While the dog park is open, Harding says there’s more work to do and amenities to get into place.
The Pierre Community Dog Park is located on Sully Avenue, beside the Pierre Community Orchard and near the city Park Department Building.
Pierre Community Dog Park ribbon cutting group photo April 22, 2023.
Photo credit DRG Media Group.
Tarrah Sonnenschein spearheaded the local fundraising group for the Pierre Community Dog Park, April 22, 2023.
Photo credit DRG Media Group.
Mayor Steve Harding thanking those involved with the fundraising and volunteer time given to the new Pierre Community Dog Park, April 22, 2023.
Photo credit DRG Media Group.
APRIL 21, 2023:
An open house and ribbon cutting will be held at the new Pierre Community Dog Park tomorrow (April 22, 2023) from 11:30am-1pm.
Activities include:
- 1st 25 pups to arrive get a free DQ pup cup, thanks to Clair’s Kennels.
- Hot dogs and all the trimmings will be served, while they last, by Beck Motors. Cost is a free will offering.
- Free nail trim and filing during the open house by Fur Affair
- Photo booth
- 11:30am– quick tips on training and dog park etiquette by Lake Sharpe Kennels
- 12:30pm– brief program recognizing major donors and those who helped make the dog park happen.
- There will be information available on how people can participate in future amenities and activities at the dog park.
- Anyone with dog related information, activities or products to sell is also welcome to participate.
The park is located on Sully Avenue, beside the Pierre Community Orchard and near the city Park Department Building.
FEBRUARY 1, 2023:
It’s not finished, but the community dog park on East Sully Avenue in Pierre is open.
City Parks and Recreation Director Bryan Tipton says the park is divided into three areas.
Tipton says there are also a few other things that still need to be done.
In May 2021, volunteers and city staff planted around 20 Ponderosa, Black Hills Spruce and Colorado Green Spruce trees to provide park-like scenery, while also serving as a sound barrier and a physical obstacle to identify the area designated for dogs.
A $2,500 grant from the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources paid for the trees. The Central Board of Realtors® donated $5000 toward the fencing.
The Pierre Community Dog Park on East Sully Avenue is by the city Parks building and the Pierre Community Nature Arboretum and Orchard.
Photo credit DRG Media Group.
Photo credit DRG Media Group.
Photo credit DRG Media Group.
Photo credit DRG Media Group.
Photo credit DRG Media Group.
Image credit City of Pierre.
EXTENDED VERSION:
The Pierre Community Dog Park is open for business.
The park is located on East Sully Ave. and now has all the necessary pieces to host dogs large and small.
“We were waiting on the delivery and installation of some pieces of the interior gate,” said Pierre Parks and Recreation Director Bryan Tipton. “Those are now installed; the community is free to use the space.”
The 1.95 acre park includes a common area, as well as off-leash space designated specifically for small dogs and another off-leash space just for large dogs. Each area has a sign to designate the space and a list of rules for the different areas.
“Much of the safety and the upkeep of the park is the responsibility of the users,” said Tipton. “We ask that anyone using the park is respectful of those rules.”
Tipton added that although the park is open, additional features are likely in its future.
“We’ll look to add water fountains and benches and some obstacles for the dogs as more funding becomes available,” said Tipton.
The park was made possible by a public-private partnership between the City of Pierre and the Central South Dakota Board of Realtors. The Board led fundraising efforts for the fencing, signs, and design.
“Our research tells us that dog parks make a community more appealing and livable for families,” said Tarrah Sonnenschein, Central South Dakota Board of Realtors. “This was a gap in our great community that our group wanted to help fill. We’re glad to help!”
The City’s donated the two acres of land that houses the park, as well as a water line to the development. The City will retain ownership and maintenance of the park. A grand opening is expected later this year.
Image credit City of Pierre.
OCTOBER 8, 2022:
The Central Board of Realtors® is donating $5000 to help start putting up fencing around the Pierre Community Dog Park.
Realtors®Board President Jess Zuber says the money is a giant step forward for the fencing, but donations are still needed to complete the work of fencing and other amenities. She says donations to the Pierre dog park project can be made through:
-
the City of Pierre
-
the Central Board of Realtors®
PO Box 38
Blunt, SD 57522
-
any realtor
The designated area for the dog park is on East Sully Street by the city Parks building and the Pierre Community Nature Arboretum and Orchard. A completion date has not yet been determined.
Find more information on the Pierre city website or on the Pierre Community Dog Park Facebook page.
Partners in the entire Pierre Community Dog Park include the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Pierre Parks and Recreation Board, local businesses and local real estate agencies.
MAY 2021:
Nearly 20 trees were planted this week (May 13) at the future site of Pierre’s community dog park on East Sully Avenue.
Parks and Recreation Director Tom Farnsworth says a group of volunteers teamed up with city staff to plant Ponderosa, Black Hills Spruce and Colorado Green Spruce trees. He says the line of trees will provide a barrier to preserve the character of the neighborhood by providing park-like scenery, while also serving as a sound barrier and a physical obstacle to identify the area designated for dogs
A $2,500 grant from the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources paid for the trees.
A public private partnership is being used to develop the dog park. The city’s primary contributions are the two acres of land the park will be on and a water line.
A voluntary dog park committee will complete the site plan and develop regulations for use of the park. Upon completion, both the plan and the policy will come to the City Commission for approval. A completion date has not yet been determined.
Photo credit City of Pierre.
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