Work on a new dog park took a substantial step forward last week when city crews added water facilities and a small walkway onto the site.
City Administrator Carl Slaugh said all that remains is a fence and some other infrastructure work for the dog park, along South Chestnut Street between Rock and Irwin streets.
Still to be installed is a fence suitable to keeping the pooches contained as they run freely across the block-long dog park. Slaugh hopes to see that done in the coming days.
“We’re getting closer,” Slaugh said.
Slaugh has been communicating with officials from Sonic Equipment Company, which has offered up financial assistance for the right to name the dog park. Sonic will be featured prominently in the opening ceremony, which has yet to be scheduled.
Slaugh hopes to have the park “substantially completed” by Oct. 1.
The dog part marks a unique partnership borne of private and city investment.
Iola City Council members approved spending up to $10,000, provided another $10,000 could be raised privately.
It was.
While councilmen were unanimous in their decision to fund the park, they were split on its location, voting 4-4 to place the park on Chestnut Street instead of two other possible locations in south Iola. The deadlock prompted Mayor Bill Shirley to cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of the Chestnut site between Irwin and Rock streets.
Land for the dog park was purchased from Earlene Still, wife of former fighter and Iola Fire Chief, the late Wayne Still.
