Politics & Government

REMINDER: Kirkland's First Dog Park Opening Saturday

Members of the volunteer group KDOG are inviting the public to join them and city officials for a ribbon-cutting at noon at "Jasper's Dog Park" in the Totem Lake area

Come Saturday, Jan. 28, dogs will be scampering free, sniffing, fetching and having canine fun at Kirkland’s first official, fenced off-leash area, “Jasper’s Dog Park” in the Totem Lake area.

“We can't believe this day is almost here,” said Jean Guth, president of the non-profit Kirkland Dog Off-Leash Group, or KDOG. "The community is really getting excited to see it coming together.”

over several years, and unfortunately, its namesake will not be there to see it. Guth, who notes that 40 percent of Kirkland homes have dogs, lost her 16-year-old Jack Russell terrier Jasper a year ago last March.

But the public is invited to join members of KDOG and their furry best friends, along with Mayor Joan McBride, members of the City Council and city staff for the ribbon-cutting and grand opening Jan. 28 at noon.

The park is on city-owned open space near the intersection of 113th Ave. NE and NE 120th St., adjacent to and just south of Heronfield Wetlands. The city bought 7.5 acres of the property as open space in 2005, and two acres of are being used for the park.

The Kirkland City Council approved the use of the two acres for an off-leash park in November of 2010 but stipulated that no city funds could be used. So the park is a direct result of grassroots organizing by members of KDIG, volunteer efforts, and the generosity of local businesses and donors. The park was built by members of KDOG, with the help of local volunteer groups and the Kirkland Department of Parks and Community Services.

Its maintenance and improvements will continue to be supported entirely by donations. For more information, visit www.kdog.org. KDOG will be collecting donations of pet food for at the opening.

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KDOG wishes to thank the following park business sponsors for their generous support of the project:  $3000 and higher Platinum Paw level sponsors: The Petco Foundation, Seattle Veterinary Specialists, Juanita Bay Veterinary Hospital, and Microsoft Matching Gifts Program; Gold Bone $1000 level sponsors:  Lee Johnson Auto Family,  Puppy Manners,  Eastside Veterinary Associates and Northcreek Custom Fencing; Silver Bowl $500 level sponsors:  Denny’s Pet World, Animal Emergency Service-East, Dogs-a-Jammin’, Pawsome Dog Adventures & Pet Sitting, Matt Opsahl – Graphic Designer, Redmond-Kirkland Animal Hospital, Dooley’s Dog House, Ford of Kirkland and Hyundai of Kirkland, Darwin’s Natural Pet Products, Canine Behavior Center, Inc., Mystic Mountain Pet Retreat and Brystal Whippets; and $250 level Bronze Biscuit sponsor, Pet Vacations, Inc.


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