New Dog Park at Alton Baker Park Opens this Saturday

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08/08/02 THU 15:aa FA% 541 682 4882 EUGENE PW MNTNC & POS PW ADM N I~J'001 i r ® ~ ~ ~ ?'~?er ~ August 8, 2002 ~ CONTACT: • Chris Girard, Coordinator, City of Eugene Volunteers in Parks, 682-4845 • Therese M. Picado, Public Information Specialist, Parks and Open Space, 68 -4814 or 682-4800, therese.m.picadoCa~ci.euctene.or.us FOR IMMEDIATI" RELEASE NEW DOG PARK AT ALTON BAKER PARK OPENS THIS SATURDAY Users of the new offi leash dog park at Alton Baker Park can "howl" for the ho a team on the appropriate Saturdays this fall. Located along the Autzen footpath near Pre's rail, the park, which has a commanding view of Autzen Stadium, will open its gates this Satur ay, ~ August 10, with an opening celebration at 10:30 a.m. Parks and Open Space and of r City staff will be joined by dog park volunteers as well as dogs and their owners to applau (and bark) the new dog park and all its improved features. Dogs and their owners will enter the park through a double-gated entryway o a green concrete pathway and enjoy innovative dog park amenities, such as a dog wash dow station, dog waste bag dispensers, pedestrian nodes, or gathering places where trails or pa s intersect, and a pasture rotation system, a process in which one half of an area is cl ed to ~ allow the grass to regenerate faster. In addition, many trees have been planted this ast winter to provide shade, and a new, soft, natural turf has been installed in an area that was reviously littered with soil and rocks. The park is secured by perimeter fencing and the entry g te. Many of these features were and continue tv be donated by community members who sup ort the dog park. A volunteer advisory group worked with parks staff to address dog park issu and give input into the design of the park. Advisory group member Kathie Brenneman, who h s been very involved with raising support for the park, is very enthusiastic about the opportu ity the park will provide dogs and their owners to socialize. "The park is an excellent venue or dog owners to communicate and network with each other and for creating happy, friend) logs," says Brenneman, who will speak at the event on Saturday. To access the new dog park, travel on Centennial Boulevard to Leo Harris P rkway behind Autzen Stadium and park in lot eight. Proceed west over the footbridge. The og park is located on the west side of the path. For more information about the new off-leash d g park, contact Volunteers in Parks Coordinator Chris Girard at 682-4845 or community liai on Kathie Brenneman at 485-5275.