June opening likely for new Mason City dog park

MASON CITY | There's still some seeding and landscaping to be done, but beyond that, Mother Nature will play a big part on when the new Mason City Dog Park officially opens.

"Hopefully in early June," said Tim Latham, a member of the citizens board that has been working for years to establish a dog park.

"We need to get some grass growing," he said.

Also, water hookups need to be put in, some utility poles need to be rerouted, and equipment for an agility area of the park needs to be installed, said Latham.

"Some of that can be done after the park is open, but we need to get the grass in there or it's just going to be a mudfest and people are going to be unhappy," he said.

Latham said the park will be divided into three areas: one for large dogs, one for small dogs, and one with the agility equipment -- an exercise area for the pets.

He said with the fence up and the gate unlocked, some residents have already been in the park with their dogs.

"But we're going to have to padlock it so we can get the seeding and landscaping done," said Latham. "We're probably looking at early June to open it to the public -- unless we have a monsoon spring."

The park is across from the city water plant on 13th Street Northeast, on land once occupied by homes that were demolished after the flood of June 2008.

The city donated the land and put up the fence at a cost of about $40,000. The citizens group has raised about $60,000 through various fundraisers, said Latham.

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June opening likely for new Mason City dog park