As reported earlier this spring, the Eastsound Off-Leash Dog Park needs to move from its temporary home near the Orcas Animal Protection Society shelter, because the land on which the current Dog Park is now located is for sale.

The good news is that the Port of Orcas has offered the use of a portion of their land as a long-term location for the Park. The new location is along Mt. Baker Road near the corner of North Beach Road, just west of the Port of Orcas Day Park. More good news is that the Dog Park has received some early donations, considerable local volunteer labor, and an Orcas Island Community Foundation grant – which the Dog Park volunteer group feels is a “seal of approval” for the park’s plan.

However, they still need additional public donations and are hoping that Orcas Islanders will step up and contribute to help finish the park. This is a wholly grassroots movement and organization. Local islanders saw the need and decided to move on it. The Dog Park group is completely volunteer-driven and run – it has no staff salaries or overhead.

To help with the new dog park, islander Ezra Richardson is donating all the labor required to build the new fencing, David Kau is volunteering his excellent architectural skills to design the new shelter at the park, and Ken Katz is volunteering much of his work to help build the shelter.

Dog Park organizer Jeff Hanson says the park will help the community by:

• Encouraging responsible dog ownership – decreasing the number of off-leash animals from harassing joggers, small children, and those who may be fearful of dogs. Also, since the Dog Park opened at its temporary location, the Sheriff’s Office reports fewer unleashed dogs attacking local livestock.

• Providing a place for dog owners to socialize – dog parks are a great place for owners to meet other people with common interests. The Dog Park is a great place for shy people, visitors, and new residents to “break the ice.”

• Promoting public health and safety – well-exercised dogs are better neighbors and less likely to create a nuisance, bark excessively or destroy property.

• Improving opportunities and safety for elderly pet owners – placing the new Dog Park just a short block from our Senior Center will enable and encourage more of our island’s Senior Citizens to use it.

“The new Dog Park is a wonderful example of islanders coming together and volunteering to accomplish something – quickly and efficiently – that benefits islanders and visitors,” says Hanson. However, the park still need the public’s help. The entire project will cost about $10,000. The Dog Park group has raised over $5,000 in cash and in-kind donations, but they still need to raise about $5,000 to purchase lumber, supplies, and other materials. They hope the public will consider donating (perhaps in the name or in memory of your favorite canine friend!) with a tax-deductible donation (they are a registered 501(c)(3) public charity). All donors will be recognized in permanent signage at the new park. The public may send checks (payable to Eastsound Off-Leash Dog Park) to the Eastsound Off-Leash Dog Park, P.O. Box 764, Eastsound, WA 98245, or call Pawki’s at 360-376-3648 for more information.