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Dog Park Opens For Furry Friend Fun

By Lauren Williams

02/17/2016

(KAIR)--Atchison's Fetch n’ Stretch Dog Park—a citizen led initiative in the works since 2011—is almost officially complete.

Though the final landscaping touches aren’t complete, the no-leash dog park, located at 14th & Laramie in Atchison, can technically be used now, says Parks and Utility Director Justin Pregont.

“The fence is done,” Pregont said. “All the locks, all the gates, everything. If somebody wanted to go out there now, it’s a secure place. But, we’re going to continue to make improvements.”

Pregont explains the delay in the park construction resulted from doing the project completely in-house. Keeping the project within the parks department saved $50,000 as using an outside contractor would have cost $75,000, but parks workers were able to keep the total cost at $25,000.

Pregont emphasized this project is an example of citizens making change happen in their community.

“It’s a glaring example that—especially in a small town—if you are active and involved in your community, and you have priorities or initiatives that you care about, you can make them happen,” Pregont said. “It’s not always overnight. But you can make things happen.”

An official ribbon cutting ceremony for Fetch n’ Stretch Dog Park will be in April.

The park will operate on a membership system, but Pregont said all you need to do to become a member is get a blue tag from a local Atchison vet showing your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations. The tag will cost $10 for one dog and $2.50 for any additional dogs.

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