City's New Dog Park Opens Wednesday

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2012

For more information contact
Dave Williams, Operations and Development Director, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, (812) 349-3706 or [williamd@bloomington.in.gov|mailto:williamd@bloomington.in.gov]

Bloomington, IN -The Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department announced today the [Ferguson Dog Park|dogpark] at 4300 N. Stone Mill Rd. will officially open for use following a grand opening ceremony Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 5:30 p.m.

The dog park will be open daily from 5 a.m. - 11 p.m. beginning Oct. 25. Use of the park is free.

The brief opening ceremony will include remarks from Mayor Mark Kruzan as well as community benefactor Steve Ferguson. Steve Ferguson and his wife Connie donated the 19 acres of land where the dog park was built, plus $50,000 for dog park construction, to the city.

The City of Bloomington Animal Shelter will bring some adoptable dogs to the grand opening ceremony, and the Monroe County Humane Association and PetsAlive will also attend with information on their spay, neuter, vaccination, microchipping, and therapy dog services.

The first phase of the dog park construction includes a three-acre dog play area enclosed with a five-foot galvanized chain link fence, gravel parking area, drinking fountain, park benches, dog rinse stations, and dog waste bag stations and receptacles. The construction of the remainder of the planned dog park, which includes additional fenced areas for large and small dogs, will take place once funding for the build out is identified and acquired.

"Thanks to the generosity of the Fergusons, the construction of the Ferguson Dog Park has been almost entirely funded by grants and donations," said Mick Renneisen, administrator of the Parks and Recreation Department. "It's an innovative way to add a coveted facility to our city park system. We're fortunate to have Steve and Connie Ferguson, and a community of dog lovers, who have given their wholehearted support to this project."

Grant funding from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) allowed for the installation of a bioswale and raingardens that will help protect the quality of the water in Griffy Creek, which flows along the dog park's southwest boundary.

The bioswale is a wide, shallow channel along the park's southern perimeter that captures runoff from North Hillview Drive and Old State Road 37. The swale slows water runoff and allows sediments to settle out before the water reaches the creek. Native plants help capture and use nutrients in the water as well. In addition, the drainage tiles in the dog park drain into two raingardens near the entrance gate. The raingardens intercept water before it drains into the creek, and are planted with native plants that both filter the water and stabilize the soil.

"We're committed to keeping the Ferguson Dog Park a green, healthy, and educational place for dogs and their owners," Renneisen said. "We are grateful to IDEM and the Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District for their assistance in helping to fund and plan these important water quality protection features."

The City of Bloomington will not supervise visitors at the Ferguson Dog Park, and therefore dog park patrons are individually responsible for following the rules of use for the dog park:

• Dogs must be spayed or neutered to use the dog park.
• Dogs must be up to date on all required vaccinations, including rabies, Bordetella, and distemper/parvovirus, to use the dog park.
• Puppies under four months of age may not use the dog park.
• Aggressive dogs are not allowed to use the dog park.
• Dog owners/handlers must clean up after their dogs. Poop scoop bags and waste receptacles are available on site.

For a complete list of dog park rules, visit [bloomington.in.gov/dogpark|dogpark].

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