Volunteers Hope to Turn Cyclone Park into a Dog Park in Holly

Volunteers Hope to Turn Cyclone Park into a Dog Park in Holly
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Oct. 12, 2016)
Holly, MI – Plans are in the works to turn Cyclone Park in the Village of Holly into a dog park. The Village Council voted Tuesday to allow an ad hoc committee of the Parks Commission to begin coming up with plans and raising funds for the park.  Nothing will be built until there has been public feedback and final approval of the plans by Council.
Resident Rick Powers is the driving force behind the concept.  His plan is to raise money within the community so that people will feel a sense of ownership.  The Village Council also voted to match up to $10,000 raised by the committee.
The initial concept calls for a 20 x 30 fenced in area where dogs can roam without a leash. The area has a section for big dogs and a section for small dogs.
There is a walking path looping the park and a grassy area where dogs can be walked on leashes.
The area also has picnic tables and a gazebo that Powers calls “the Chapel,” where he hopes people will gather to honor pets that have passed away.
The initial concept calls for there to be no charge for residents, and volunteers would help keep the park clean.
Powers was inspired by visiting dog parks in other communities, and wants to improve upon the ones he’s seen.  “A lot of times they’re pet friendly but they’re not people friendly,” he said.  Hence the addition of a picnic area, the walking path, and the chapel.
Councilperson Chris Rankin also serves on the Parks Commission, and has been working with Powers on moving the dog park from concept to the planning stage. He stated that neighbors would be canvassed and able to share their opinions.
Questions were raised among residents in the audience about details such as parking,  traffic, smell, noise and costs of maintenance and insurance.
“The specific plans we don’t have to hash out tonight,” said Holly Village Council President Ryan Bladzik. He explained that all that was needed was the vote to proceed and that details would be worked out at the committee level.
The initial estimate for the project is $50,000- $60,000.  More information about fundraising will be added as it becomes available.  Subscribe to daily headlines at https://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=Oakland_County_115_News.
Check out previous oc115 articles about dog parks at: https://oaklandcounty115.com/?s=dog+park.

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