Oswego trustees as a committee of the whole recently showed support for the design and construction of the village’s first dog park.
Although no vote was taken, the majority of trustees voiced their support of the proposal. Village staff will return to the board to further discuss the design of the dog park and whether or not to charge a user fee, village officials said.
Oswego Village President Troy Parlier had requested staff present concept plans for the construction of a dog park at the northeast corner of Plank Drive and Theodore Drive on nearly an acre of land near the Public Works facility on the village’s southeast side.
“Oswego is a great place for families, and we want every family member to have a spot for recreation,” Parlier said in a prepared statement. “This is a prime opportunity that leverages existing resources, and I’m looking forward to seeing families and their pets at our new dog park next year.”
The plan is go to out to bid for the project after the first of the year and discuss whether the village should charge a user fee at the facility.
The village-owned site was selected because of its proximity to PrairieFest Park and the availability of existing parking, Oswego Public Works Director Jennifer Hughes said.
Trustees essentially authorized putting the project into the budget and to have further discussions about details of the project later.
Oswego is a dog-friendly community, Hughes said. The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that 38.4% of households in the village own dogs with an average household having at least two canines, she said.
“We have roughly 6,000 dogs in the community and there are no dog parks in the village,” Hughes said.
Two other locations were considered for the dog park, including the east side of the Oswego Police Headquarters on Woolley Road and at Venue 1012, the village’s new entertainment pavilion on Station Drive off of Orchard Road.
The police station does not have adjacent parking available and the entertainment venue has limited parking for concert patrons, according to village officials.
“To me this is an optimal way (to have a dog park) and it doesn’t cost that much,” Trustee Brian Thomas said of the proposed site near the Public Works facility. “I like it and I am fine with the location. I know it might not be the consensus for the rest of the board but I think this is what Oswego needs. Residents will take a liking to it really quick.”
Trustees Kit Kuhrt and Terry Olson had concerns about the location.
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“I am fine with going after a dog park but I am not OK with the location simply because of the Public Works location,” Kuhrt.
The Public Works facility will undoubtedly have to be expanded in the future, he said.
“If we go spend the money for a dog park and then later tear it out and move it somewhere else that’s throwing money away in my mind,” Kuhrt said.
He suggested the village explore the pros and cons of charging a user fee or not at the facility.
The closest dog parks serve the Fox Valley Park District and Plainfield Park District and they do not charge an entrance fee, Hughes said.
The Fox Valley Park District recently eliminated the fee to utilize the Stuart Sports Complex dog park, she said.
Thomas suggested having a separate discussion later about whether to charge a user fee.
Trustee James Marter was supportive of raising funds for maintenance but had issues with developing a user fee program.
“Knowing what other communities do makes me struggle with the idea to enforce (a user fee),” Marter said. “There are better things for our police to be doing than going to make sure a dog is wearing a tag.”
A concept plan for the dog park shows four paddocks, including two where dogs can get exercise, one designated for small dogs weighing about 35 pounds and the other for larger dogs. Another area could be designated for obstacle courses and training for dogs of all sizes, officials said.
The area presently does not have any trees to provide shade for dogs and their handlers, which potentially is a challenge, Hughes told trustees.
“We would plant some trees around the perimeter and we also have an option to create a sun screen. It doesn’t have to be a sun sail. It could be some kind of structure to provide shade for people in the summer,” Hughes said.
The base cost for the proposal is an estimated $99,000, which includes a 20% contingency fund. The project will be budgeted in the village’s fiscal year 2023 Capital Improvement Program for construction next year.
The village intends to seek donations and potentially consider user fees to support the cost of the park as it finalizes the budget plans, village officials said.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.