Organizer says dog park plans are still on-leash

Vox Pop

Many people have inquired about the status of the Medford Dog Park Project; here is a brief update on how our work is coming.

The last few months we have worked on details of the land transfer from Nestle. We are also pursuing the 501(c)(3) non-profit status, submitting paperwork, and waiting for the wheels of government to turn. Representative Tom Tiffany’s office is aiding us to advance our request and hopefully this will get things done in a more timely manner.

We have the support of the city of Medford and the Medford Chamber of Commerce and received permission from Taylor County to use the CampusTrail as a park access point. We needed to change our park layout somewhat to accommodate conflicts with the entrance and possible issues with low ground but a nice sized park is still what we are planning .

So with legalities and design moving ahead, our main issue is securing financing. Local citizens and businesses have been very generous with donations, and we will formally recognize them when the project is further along. However, we are still a long way from the amount necessary to even install fencing, let alone include the amenities that will create a beautiful and multi-use park for dogs and their humans.

We applied for the Taylor County Powerline Grant to build the park and met with the Finance Committee last week. Unfortunately, they did not agree with us that a dog park in Medford would be a boon for the whole county nor be a successful, sustainable venture. We appealed to them for the full amount of the park costs, mainly to show we had given great thought to this development, hoping to receive any donation to help the project gain ground. We did not meet with agreement, however, and were denied funding. We are very grateful they gave us meeting time and listened to our request, and we will take their concerns into consideration as we move ahead.

We are currently pursuing other grants and funding sources. We will also be reaching out to local businesses, state organizations, and national companies for financial assistance or supplies over the next few months. We can also reapply for the Powerline Grant; the next application deadline is March 1, 2022. Please consider reaching out to members of the finance committee or county board with a phone call or letter if you are in favor of a Medford dog park and would appreciate their backing. Your call to action could be very impactful on their next decision. Our passion remains strong for this dog park and we are far from defeat!

For updates or an opportunity to donate, volunteer ideas, help with our efforts or just follow our progress, please visit our Facebook page: Medford Dog Park Project.

A heartfelt thanks to all who are supporting us!

— Carla Huston, Medford