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11/17/2015 03:15 PMThe Guilford Dog Park Planning Committee is eagerly awaiting town approval of a dog park on Nut Plains Road so it can begin fundraising for the long awaited project.
The park has been approved pending wetlands and zoning approvals, according to Parks & Recreation Director Rick Maynard. Those approvals could come as early as December, Maynard said,
“If all goes well,” he added, “the park could be open next spring.”
Maynard said one of the aspects of the dog park he likes best is that the plans are to keep “the area pretty much as is—natural, more a woods-like setting.” He said the dog park will be at the immediate right hand side of the park as you enter.
Another bonus, the Park and Recreation director said, is that an additional 20 or so parking spaces will be provided that can be used by not only those who use the dog park, but also for those who attend lacrosse games at the park.
The Guilford Dog Park Planning Committee has more than 25 volunteers, from teens to seniors.
The group is broken down into seven working groups to address issues such as fundraising, volunteer recruitment, governance, and more. Catherine Kiernan Marganski and Jo-Anne Basile have been spearheading the citizens’ effort.
“Dogs are an important part of our family and lives,” said Basile. “Our goal is to offer Guilford’s many dog owners a safe, enjoyable outdoor off-leash environment for their four legged friends.
“A dog park serves many purposes,” she continued. “It not only offers a place for dogs and their owners to play and socialize, but it can be a safe place for seniors and people with disabilities to exercise their best friends. Our group is very thankful to the town’s Park & Recreation Commission for their support and to identify land that will serve the needs of all Guilford’s citizens.”
According to the Guilford group, there are more than 35 dog parks in the state, including parks in Branford and Clinton; plans are underway for more in Madison and North Branford.
“We’re committed to making Guilford’s dog park one of the best in the state,” said Basile. “We’re anxiously awaiting Planning & Zoning approval so we can begin fundraising and clearing the land.”
The group hopes to have a park ready by spring/summer 2016. Anyone interested in helping can find more information at the Guilford Dog Park Facebook page.