Pet owners support dog park plan
Mission Creek Park is set to be the new location of the community's first dog park, should the Union Township Board of Trustees approve the plans.
It took about a year for Steven Clark of Rowe Professional Services to come up with the design of the dog park. The leader behind the project presented three options to the Charter Township of Union Board of Trustees last month and is still waiting a response.
“A lot of communities have these, because most public parks require dogs to be on a leash,” Clark said. “These parks provide an opportunity to run off-leash, which encourages better health and socialization of the pets.”
The first option costs $141,013 in order to fund a basic dog park with few features, Clark said. The second option, which would include a dog wash area, a drainage field, water to site and drinking fountains, costs $185,475.
Meanwhile, the most expensive option would cost $300,048. In addition to the features seen in his second option, it would include a paved and striped parking lot, irrigation systems and a shelter area at the entry.
Interest for the dog park first began after an online survey was completed by representatives of the Friends of the Dog Park Committee and Union Township.
According to Clark, participants of the survey ranked the dog park features by importance and flooded the comments section with suggestions and concerns.
The results of the survey showed support for the dog park, which ultimately generated a wide amount of interest in the Mount Pleasant area.
Mid Michigan Community College student Jon Williams said he would like having an area where he could spend time with his furry friend.
“A new dog park sounds exciting,” Williams said. “It would give me a place to take my pitbull puppy where we can both go out and have fun.”
Mount Pleasant resident and CMU alumna Emily Kilby loves the idea of the dog park as well, but is not sure if all the features are necessary.
“Dog owners in town are always looking for places they can let their dogs roam and socialize with others,” Kilby said. “I don't think the dog washing station is a necessity though. As long as the dogs have a place to drink fresh water and run around, most people will be satisfied. I would definitely take my dog to the park.”
Clark said all information has been presented to the board and he is waiting for them to make their decision.
