WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (WSAU) — The city of Wisconsin Rapids is now in the early stage of planning for a new municipal dog park.
The park would be the first of its kind in the city. Mayor Shane Blaser says right now they’re looking at potential sites to make sure it would be a fit for that particular neighborhood. “The struggle is trying to find the right location,” said Blaser. “Certain parks may be too heavily residential or residents may not enjoy having a dog park across the road.”
With that in mind, the Parks and Recreation Commission has spent time in recent weeks going over maps and aerial views of some locations to pick out the pros and cons of each. The next step would involve site visits.
Blaser says they’re taking the process deliberately slow to make sure they get it right and create an amenity that the community can be proud of. “I think it’s important that we get community buy-in on the location; just as important as the dog park is for the community. It’s a process I would like to see through because there are a lot of people who are interested in a dog park.
“A city, a community our size really needs to have a dog park,” added Blaser.
The park would be owned and maintained by the city, but the Mayor is open to some sort of public-private partnership for things such as games or equipment for the park. “Us as government need to go into it knowing we will be responsible for maintenance of it, the construction, mowing. Should a group form that maybe wants to buy specific things like a ‘Friends of the Dog Park’ wants to buy agility equipment I would [be in favor] of that type of relationship.”
Blaser has no specific timeline as to when more serious discussions could begin, but he says it is a project that he would like to see through to the end. Further discussion will happen at the Parks and Recreation Commission level.
Other topics Blaser discussed with WSAU’s Mike Leischner include:
Start of video- New era approaching for the Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department with an expanded fire station and new Fire Chief to come
6:00- Dog Park Discussion
11:00- Trick-or-Treating details for the city and Mayor Shane’s plans for bow opener
