by Mary Rupert
Two dogs attending the ribbon-cutting of the new St. John’s Dog Park on Strawberry Hill Thursday afternoon eyed each other from a short distance, then walked around the new fenced-in grassy area on a leash after the official ceremony was over.
The new dog park at 801 N. 4th St., with a great view overlooking I-70 and the Kansas City skyline, is divided into two fenced-in areas, one for large dogs and the other for small dogs.
One dog attending the event was accompanying Jeremy Rogers, the director of the Unified Government Parks and Recreation Department.
Rogers said many people were involved in making the dog park a reality.
Mayor David Alvey, also attending the event, said it was another great amenity for people who live in the neighborhood, a place that people can bring their dogs and feel safe, with a lot of room to run. A dog let out a yelp at the end of the very brief remarks. “That’s affirmation, right there,” someone at the event remarked.
The other dog attending the ribbon-cutting was Bonnie, accompanying Jennifer Stewart of animal services.
Stewart said Bonnie was coming from the shelter and was ready for adoption, one of about 70 dogs that can be adopted. She said people interested in adopting a dog may contact animal services (at 3301 Park Drive, Kansas City, Kansas, 913-321-1445).
This is the first phase of the dog park project, according to Jack Webb, deputy director of parks and recreation.
Eventually, there will be benches and agility equipment added for the dogs, he said. The Parks Foundation and the Downtown Kansas City, Kansas, Rotary Club are expected to help with these expenses.
The land for the dog park was previously park land. St. John’s Park now is a safer place for dogs and children, according to those attending the event, as dogs will be able to run inside a fenced-in area. Before, some dogs were off-leash in the same area as children.
The first phase of the project, including the fencing, was funded through a $25,000 Pet Safe Bark for Your Park grant, said Angel Obert, recreation division manager for Parks and Recreation.
Kansas City, Kansas, was one of only five award recipients of more than 200 communities applying for the grant, she said.
UG Commissioner Melissa Bynum said UG Administrator Doug Bach should be proud of all the work going on and planned in the downtown Kansas City, Kansas, area. That includes the dog park, the renovations at the former EPA building (less than a block from the dog park), as well as the new juvenile center and parking lot downtown, and the new nearby grocery store.
