Eldon dog park dream becoming reality

ELDON - Dog parks became a significant part of Alex Wyrick's life after an American Eskimo named Miko joined her family.

She and her husband, who is enlisted in the U.S. military, took Miko to numerous dog parks while recently living in southern California.

"We had a dog park in our apartment complex, one on the military base and even one on a beach," she said.

While sitting in a dog park one day, Wyrick and her husband had a thought. "We wondered if we could create a dog park in our hometown," she said.

Wyrick and her husband graduated from Eldon High School and recently moved back to their stomping grounds, which encouraged Wyrick to turn their idea into a reality.

"If you don't have a fenced-in backyard, you don't have anywhere to take your dog off its leash," she said. "Dogs need exercise like we do and a place to play and socialize. Around here, there is no place to go unless you drive to Columbia."

This spring, Wyrick suggested the idea of a dog park to the Board of Aldermen.

"There had been talk about it before but never someone as persistent as Alex," said Eldon Parks and Recreation Manager Brandon Stark. "She had brought it to our Board of Aldermen, and after consideration, they are all very supportive of it."

Wyrick hopes to initially create a park about 100 by 120 feet in size and surrounded by a 6-foot-tall chain-link fence.

No location has been determined. However, Stark said there are places under consideration, including a piece of property off Freeport the city recently acquired in a trade from a resident last year.

"The city recently acquired a piece of property that is supposed to be designated for a park. This would be a perfect start to a new park in that area. We could start with a dog park and eventually add in other pieces there," Stark said. "It is not finalized that's where the dog park is going to be, but it is a spot we are considering."

Wyrick is seeking grant opportunities and raising money to create the park and get the proper amenities needed to accommodate its visitors.

"We are hoping she will be able to receive grants to take care of the bulk of it, as far as fencing and/or a water fountain," Stark said. "When I went to visit the Columbia dog parks, they have water fountains for a person and, down below, one for a dog."

He noted a rough estimate to start a dog park is about $2,000.

One way Wyrick hopes to raise funds is an upcoming 5K Run/Dog Walk she has organized. This inaugural event is scheduled for Sept. 3 and starts in front of the Eldon Public Safety Building/Eldon Police Department.

The race begins at 7:30 a.m. with late registration from 6:45-7:15 a.m. A water station is available halfway through the event for participants, including dogs.

Registration through race day is $20, and a $5 registration fee is charged per dog. A dog leash is required, and owners assume liability for their dogs during the event.

Special awards will be given to top male and female finishers, as well as the top dog finisher and child finishers in different age groups. All proceeds will benefit the new Eldon dog park.

"We hope to do this annually and build up more money for toys, jumping apparatuses and agility equipment for the park in the future," Wyrick said.

Wyrick is also asking for business and community donations and sponsorships to help create the dog park and expand it in the future. So far, the response has been very positive, she said.

Registration for the inaugural 5K Run/Dog Walk can be mailed in advance with registration form and payment to Eldon Community Foundation - 101 S. Oak St., Eldon, Mo., 65026 ATTN: Brandon - or submitted the morning of the event.

For more information or for updates, contact Wyrick at 573-280-5993 or visit the project's Facebook page by searching "Eldon Dog Park."