OTTUMWA —
The past several years have seen a building boom of sorts that has made dogs and their owners happy.
Several southeast Iowa cities have or are in the process of expanding dog parks. The parks allow dogs to play and socialize off their owners' leashes, with a degree of freedom not usually available in public. Ottumwa has constructed and twice expanded its "bark park," while Oskaloosa and Knoxville are planning their own parks.
Ottumwa's park began as a proposal in 2008. It was open less than two years later with plans to expand. The first expansion allowed owners to separate large and small dogs. Conflict between the dogs wasn't the issue, but it can be hard on a toy poodle when it attempts to play with a great dane.
A second expansion led to the installation of agility training equipment. Agility training for dogs is itself a relatively new trend, though one that is quickly attracting participants and their pets.
Oskaloosa began discussing a dog park early this year. The city reached an agreement in May with the Mahaska County Community Foundation to seek funding for a park. Discussions started as early as March, with broad support from the public projects committe but few specifics.
The latest community to join the trend is Knoxville. The city council recently approved creation of an off-leash dog park within Auld Park. Fundraising efforts are expected to begin soon to help pay for the park and maintenance.
CNHI/SE Iowa
Related Photos
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A curious Siberian Husky named Koda inspects visitors coming to the "Bark Park" off of Highway 34 in Ottumwa in this 2009 photo from the Ottumwa Courier.
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Region in midst of doggie building boom
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