The CK Community Leaders’ Cabinet has recognized volunteers of the Chatham and Wallaceburg dog-off leash committees for their work in enhancing parks in those communities. Chatham-Kent is home to two dog parks ¾ one in Wallaceburg called Happy Tails that is located at 181 Baldoon Road, and the other in Chatham called John Waddell Park at 59 Water Street.
The Wallaceburg Happy Tails Park spans 1 hectare (2.5 acres) along the Sydenham River.
The local committee raised funds and started improvements in 2011, installing fences and double gates, picnic tables, benches and parking, as well as a beautiful entrance sign, a sun shade and exercise equipment for dogs. The park features many mature trees, providing additional shade for active dogs. On any given day, volunteers can be seen cleaning up, fixing equipment or simply picking up after a pet.
“It has been 6 1/2 years since the germ of an idea of having a DOLRA in Wallaceburg has been developed into the lovely park we have today,” said Evelyn Radomski , past committee chair. “Our DOLRA is a favorite place for many in our community, many new people who come and also for our dogs. We like to say that our park, which is a beautiful 2 1/2 acres of green grass and natural flora and beautiful mature trees, is a place where people come to meet and enjoy a network of wonderful community activity.”
Radomski added: “They enjoy fresh air, they enjoy being with other people and exercising and exercising with their pets. Our DOLRA has also been developing some beautiful recreational activity pieces for the dogs and we have a separate gated areas for any small dogs too timid to socialize with our large active ones.”
Radomski said they have had great success with volunteers since they started.
“We find that people have found time to help us volunteer and we have had volunteers of every type that you can imagine,” she said. “We have had volunteers helping us with game shows on the radio. We have had volunteers that worked hard in setting up our brand new online network. We have got volunteers to do the fencing. We have got volunteers that are there pooper scooping. We have everything. We love to have people come by our park in Wallaceburg, which is down at the end of Baldoon Road by the beautiful Sydenham River.
She added: “We also wanted to thank council for their part in helping us be what we are as well as thanking some of our reps that are here today.”
The Feature Act recognition ceremony was held at the Civic Centre during the Chatham-Kent Community Development Forum, a regular televised discussion forum hosted by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent and TV COGECO. Feature Act is a recognition program of the CK Community Leaders’ Cabinet in partnership with the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce and the Wallaceburg & District Chamber of Commerce that thanks citizens for building a better Chatham–Kent.
“These volunteers have demonstrated real long-term dedication in improving our community’s quality of life, and they deserve to be recognized for it,” said Mayor Randy Hope about the ceremony Monday evening.
– Photo credit: Tami Schram
