Upcoming Fundraisers Will Support Dog Park Plans

By Kendra Bobowick

A reminder postcard from Assistant Director of Recreation RoseAnn Reggiano to support Newtown’s Park and Bark dog park should be arriving in the mailboxes of all licensed dog owners within the next few weeks.

The brief message urges residents to consider making a donation, getting involved, posting a picture and visiting online to learn more about the proposed dog park. Organizers are raising funds to purchase a fence, benches, fountains, cleanup bags and other necessary items for a roughly two-acre area at the end of Trades Lane, beyond the horse guard’s fields and below Reed Intermediate School.

Park construction will begin as soon as money allows. Fundraising has already collected $8,000 toward the park, which will eventually have a water feature for the pets, “but not at this time,” said Ms Reggiano. Funding for such a feature might be another fundraising focus, she said.

The Dog Park Committee is still working toward $50,000 to purchase fencing and other equipment necessary for a park, Ms Reggiano said. On August 19, supporters raised funds through hot dog sales during a concert by Erika Vaughn and Midnight Rodeo that was sponsored by the Parks & Rec Department. The sales of stickers, raffle prizes and T-shirts during the concert also helped raise funds for the project.

Future plans to garner community support include participation in the Labor Day Parade.

“We are really excited about our float! We’re gong to set it up like a mini dog park,” with bright green turf as the base, said Ms Reggiano. Mary Simpson from Mt Pleasant Hospital for Animals will be on the float with her dog Travis.

Upcoming Events

Walk with Wags and friends in the 49th Annual Newtown Labor Day Parade on Monday, September 6. Details, including information on the Park and Bark theme, will follow.

The Dog Days of Summer will return to the Fairfield Hills campus on Sunday, September 12, from 1 to 5 pm. Details are also forthcoming for this.

Finally, a My Place Restaurant Fundraiser event will be Wednesday, September 15. Between 5 to 9 pm. Mention Newtown Park & Bark with your dine-in or take-out order and the project will receive 20 percent of each bill’s proceeds.

Visit www.NewtownParkAndBark.org for details on these and other events.