Dog Park Concept Being Considered in Vernon

VERNON, CT — A group is being formed explore the establishment of a dog park in Vernon.

Town council members Brian Motola, Michael Wendus and James Tedford said this week the topic came up when they were campaigning door-to-door last summer and thought the timing was right to form an exploratory committee.

The dog park will give all dog owners a safe, designated area while socializing and exercising there pets," Wendus said when asked about the consensus.

Motola said he wants to keep the dog park "a citizen-based initiative," but added the council would likely be involved because the target property is a municipally owned, flat, seldom-used tract at the intersection of West and Regan Streets next to Saxony Park, a small enclave designed for passive recreation.

Once fenced-in and equipped — and Motola did not have a price tag on the start-up costs yet — the park would be maintained through private donations and fundraising efforts, he said.

An informal gathering took place at a private residence on Monday, Motola said. The plan is to mobilize a citizens committee and perhaps have something in place by the fall, he said.

"It's very preliminary," Motola said. "But, based on the feedback, this is what a good number of residents want and I think we can move fast on the concept."

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel