The Virden Dog Park committee is back and they’re dedicated to getting a dog park in Virden. They’ve resumed fundraising to fence property where people can let their dogs off the leash to run and play. At present they have a five per cent start on what they hope to raise.
The committee was formed in 2019 with Carrie Williams as their leader. The Town of Virden council voted to donate a small parcel of land to the cause, sealing the deal in 2020..
The Covid crisis put fundraising for this and other groups on pause. Williams moved away, but the group is moving forward with their plans.
A meeting with six committee members on Tuesday, May 17 at the future site of Virden Dog Park is a joyful bit of mayhem. Leashed dogs are so excited to be out for a walk and to see each other.
“We are a group of dedicated volunteers. We have weekly meetings and right now we’re very eager to start our fundraising efforts. We will take on socials or events around the town,” says a member.
Many benefits come with a fenced dog park. Dogs need moments of outdoor independence, time to run as hard as they can with other dogs.
“It helps to socialize your dog,” says Allie, “especially when they’re younger. It brings them confidence and teaches them manners.” She says that within the large fenced area a dog owner can feel safe starting off-leash training.
If it’s important to dogs, it’s important to their owners. There’s human sociability to consider as well. “It brings members of the community with a common interest together.”
Nicole Dube says, “In Red Deere, it was awesome. You’d grab a coffee and go to the dog park where there would be a group of people having coffee.”
Larissa Sosnowski points out, “The amount of people I’ve met when I take Millie to Brandon dog park, I wish … if this was in Virden, I’d be meeting so many people in the community. So much nicer to keep it local.”
The property, located at the Fish For All turn-off from Government Road is a mown, low lying grassy few acres with some willow shrubbery, near planted trees and the soccer pitch.
The Town of Virden gifted the property to the Dog Park and the Town will maintain the grass cutting.
In order for this project to become a reality the committee needs to raise about $25,000 to cover the cost of the materials and the installment of the fence around the 200 by 100-foot property (93 by 225-foot to be exact).
They’ve taken on projects such as serving at the TOGP canteen and bar for the recent Crude Cup (oilmen’s hockey tournament) and have other ideas for fundraising, but need donations.
“We’re going to be reaching out to local businesses, hoping they can donate.”
“It’s nice we’re working with the town. We have an E-transfer set up with them, they can take donations on our behalf,” says Sosnowski.
Donations over $20 can be receipted for income tax purposes.
Aside from fencing, the dog park will need items which could be donated - a garbage bin, doggy bag dispenser and benches and some amenities for the canines.
“We’re hoping maybe tractor tires can be put in the ground for the dogs to play in,” to use as obstacles for the space.
Eventually, the committee expects to add a separately fenced place for small dogs.
A lot of people have dogs. According to the Canadian Animal Health Institute there are about 7.7 million dogs in Canada. A dog park is an added service, an attraction, for a town. With the Lions Campground just up the road, a dog park will be well situated for campers. A walking trail to the dog park would revitalize the area.
People have asked if the dog park is open yet and one committee member points out that “people who go to Oak Lake campground ask about where the nearest dog park is located”
The group meets every Wednesday evening.
Contact the group at www.facebook.com/virdendogpark/ or get in touch with Nicole Dube.
