Would you like to see a Dog Park in Mountain Home? If
you have driven past the dog park site lately you may have noticed that things
are starting to happen there. The site has been mowed and groomed. The
undergrowth and such has all been removed.
There is some digging going on where the water is going to be. Although not there yet, the fencing materials have been ordered so it shouldn’t be long before we can actually report that
construction is beginning. All very positive news. We’ll be keeping youposted as progress continues
Would you like to see a Dog Park in Mountain Home? Please send an email to mountainhomedogpark@gmail.com and we will put you on our mailing list.
We now have a site in Mountain Home but we need your help to get it developed. Click here for details.
For more information please call: Nancy Lee Scarpa 870-424-0174 or
Dale Piper499-5745
If you would like to make a tax deductible contribution, please send a check made out to: City of Mountain Home, noting Dog Park Fund on the memo line and send to Mtn. Home Dog Park Fund, c/o Dale Piper, 3870 Push Mountain Road,Norfork, AR 72658
Please note the following resolution by the City of Mountain Home.
I believe a dog park would be great. Due to my own limited mobility my Golden Retriever mix, Willow, would be especially thankful for a place to romp and play with other dogs and people. He is very friendly and has been a therapy dog until the walking became too difficult for me. He loves everyone and is in need of more exercise. I have four little dogs also, but not sure how any of them would be, but they do fine with our large fenced yard. Willow is the one who needs this park and me too.
This will be a fabulous addition to Baxter County. I live in Lakeview, but would love to be able to bring our 3 little dogs for playtime and doggie socalization. I’m hoping I will be able to make it to the August 27th meeting.
I would love to enjoy playing with my Golden Retriever, Jake in a park especially devoted to him and his needs, no leash laws…………..just run and play as he wishes……..Many in this community do not have the room in there own yards for there pets to get the proper exericse they need to stay fit..and healthly. Good Luck!!!
The City of Mountain Home is to be commended in offering to set up a Dog Park within the city. Obviously this park will require maintenance, care, such as fence maintenance, lawn cutting, cleanup etc.. How will it be determined if the dogs taken to the park have had the required shots. Adequate and marked parking is important. Will the city have evening lighting for those taking their dogs in the evenings. Will Mountain Home carry some form of liability insurance for the possibility of some injuries occurring. Will City of Mountain Home taxpayers welcome some possible additional taxes. Since the majority of people in the Twin Lakes (Baxter County) area do not live in Mountain Home, will the above cost be borne only by the City of Mountain Home taxpayers. We live in Northpointe, for example, which is not in Mountain Home. These are just a few minor thoughts relative to the Dog Park plan.
Thank you for your comments and questions. We will try to address all of them.
.There will be a large sign at the park entrance stating all of the dog park rules; foremost that all dogs be current on their shots and tagged appropriately. It will be impossible to have someone there to enforce this at all times, but we feel the rules will carry a little more weight considering this is a Mountain Home park facility. Dog park committee members will be visiting the site on a regular basis to insure it is kept litter free, but most dog parks are by necessity, “self-policing”. In addition to litter removal, this also means that any person using the park has the right to ask the owner of an untagged or aggressive dog to leave, and our signage will state this as well. Please note that we are reviewing best practices from dog parks across the country and will incorporate them in the MH facility.
.Given that this park will be roughly the size of a football field, lighting is currently cost prohibitive and will be a ‘daylight hours’ only park.
.Liability insurance will be in place. The City of Mountain Home currently has policies covering all of its park facilities to include this site.
.In discussions with the City, they feel they can maintain this property with no additional expenditures required. They are already mowing the site and picking up refuse, so this will be a continuing task, not an incremental one. The City plans to use existing resources and volunteers for the construction of the fencing, etc. The committee is to provide all materials, hence our current fund raising efforts.
We hope this addresses your questions and concerns. We welcome new committee members and you are cordially invited to become a member and attend our next meeting. Watch this web site and/or the Baxter Bulletin for future dates and times.
I am all for a dog park if the citizens of mountain home can reach funds for a park I think the Humane Society should be first
priority. maybe alot of people don;t know but they are desperately needing funds my husband and I are members and their doors may be closed by the end of december for lack of funds forever! what about the dogs in there! I am sure they would love to be adopted and run in a park. we need the humane society for all the abandoned dogs and cats that are running around with no one to love them in mountain home area. please help we are there voices.
Members of the M.H. Dog Park Committee are in full support of the efforts and goals of the Humane Society. We believe our interests are compatible, not opposing.
Part of the U.S. Humane Society Mission Statement is “to create a humane and sustainable world for all animals – a world that benefits people.” One of our goals is to provide an environment that promotes dog safety, dog health, and owner education. We believe that increasing awareness around responsible dog ownership can only help to reduce cruelty and abandonment rates. This park is not just about dogs – it’s about people as well.
According to an August 13 Baxter Bulletin article, the annual budget for the NCA Humane Society is around $400,000, We are only seeking $12 – $15,000 to fill our goals and this is only a one time amount. Annual maintenance costs will be minimal thanks to support from the City Parks Department, local vendors, and volunteers.
I’m so glad your making a dog park i love dogs and I have one and I can finally get out of the house with my dog!!(=