After 10 years of discussion, the vote was to approve....
"....the motion has been made and seconded. There will be no further discussion to the issue All those in favor of the motion say aye..(all aye) Opposed(silence) motion carried(applause).....
Mayor Dick Johns calling for the vote last night by the city council, and with that Rhinelander has a dog park, pending working out a few agreement details. Supporters of the park began a decade ago and after several attempts didn't work out, an alternative location of the little-used Shepard Park on the city's south side was approved for the Hodag Paws Park. The dog park group has partnered with Petco to supply the funds to park for the majority of the park needs.
Parks committee chair Sherri Belliveau...
"...there is a little cost to the city, nothing we don't incur at other parks. We will provide receptacles and dog bags, we already do that at every park....and the parks dept. will continue to mow that property. Anything else would be at no cost to the city And this action would be pending an agreement between the city of Rhinelander and Petco...."
An attempt earlier this year to locate the park within Pioneer Park met opposition, with the Shepard Park location suggested and now approved. Dog park advocate Tina Werres told the council they will get started on the park as soon as they can.
