By this time next year, Katrina Andrews hopes to spend her evenings and weekends outside, breathing in the fresh air as her dogs, Roo and Rowan, play with other dogs in a safe, fenced-in dog park in the City of Niles.

After pondering the idea of bringing a dog park to Niles for many years, Andrews recently decided to make her dream a reality, and hosted a public forum Tuesday evening at the Niles District Library to discuss the idea of a dog park. More than 30 people attended the meeting — some in favor of the park, and some who had concerns.

“I’m glad we have people with different viewpoints here,” Andrews said Tuesday. “All voices are important, and we need to hear them.”

Just minutes into the meeting, one attendee asked Andrews why she wants to create a dog park, rather than utilize one of the many parks already in Niles.

“A dog park is a unique because people who use a dog park are dog people. It’s a community,” Andrews said, also explaining that dogs are able to play off leash at dog parks, whereas they must remain on leash at public parks. “There are some parks in the city that are underutilized, and this could bring people to Niles who are not already here.”

Andrews has dubbed the park “Ruff & Tumble Dog Park” and received nonprofit 501(c)(3) status on Sept. 27 in order to begin seeking grant dollars to fund the project. At the meeting, she solicited ideas for locations, fundraising and potential features of the park.

“Most importantly, I need people to volunteer,” Andrews said.

Andrews and her husband passed out volunteer forms seeking people to assist with administration, field work, fundraising, maintenance, social media and volunteer coordination.

A handful of those in attendance voiced concerns about the potential park, most of which related to proposed locations.

Location, location, location

Keith Stelter, of Niles, shared his thoughts on opening a dog park at Island Park, one of the originally proposed locations.

“I want a dog park and I fully support this park,” Stelter said, “but not in that location.”

Stelter lives near the park, which is located off Parkway, south of Broadway. He said parking is a problem at that location, and that while the park may not be as utilized as it once was, it sees a steady stream of children playing and enjoying recreation outside of their smart phones, which many in attendance agreed was a rarity.

“Do we really want to take away the parks?” Stelter said. “I’d like to find a place that is not already being used.”

Those in attendance suggested a variety of locations for the park, including the site of the former YMCA, the former site of the Kawneer plant, the Tyler ballpark, near the Pucker Street dam, unused space at Plym Park and underutilized space near Southside Park. A location was not chosen, and Andrews continues to solicit suggestions for locations, potentially in Niles Township as well.

Gretchen Bertschy, who represents the first ward on the Niles City Council, said she in favor of creating a park near Southside Park. She said the idea of having fenced in dog parks for different sized animals near a playground for children (which already exists) is appealing.

Bertschy offered insight into a number of potential challenges as participants suggested various locations.

“Obviously when you have dogs together, dogs do as dogs do, and dogs doo doo,” Bertschy said. “We don’t want dogs messing at Riverfront Park because they are literally dumping there, and it goes into the water.”

Policing the puppies

One audience member also raised the question of who would be responsible for cleaning and policing the park.

Andrews said that rules and regulations would be clearly posted, modeled after guidelines outlined at other successful dog parks throughout the country.

“We aren’t even in talks with the city about it yet,” Andrews said. Andrews will present the plan to the Niles City Council on Nov. 13.

Several audience members referenced other dog parks they had visited while vacationing. Each person noted that the dog parks they had visited were clean, free of fighting and had a community feel.

“People who utilize dog parks tend to help other dog owners out,” Andrews said.

Andrews and the city will need to determine who is responsible for maintaining and policing the park. Andrews is seeking volunteers to assist with this, and has asked for feedback on suggestions from the community.

Next steps

To move forward with the project, Andrews will need to find the financial resources to do so. She has set up a GoFundMe page to begin fundraising toward her $50,000 goal. Once she raises $50,000, she hopes to find a grant partner that will match funds raised, for a total of $100,000.

Andrews says she expects the largest expense for the park to be fencing, which she predicts will cost upwards of $30,000. Funds raised will also pay for signs, dog bags, picnic tables, benches and other play equipment for the animals.

Andrews hopes to solicit sponsors and donations from community partners.

As she fundraises, Andrews hopes to assemble a committee of folks interested in making the dog park a reality. As the meeting progressed Tuesday evening, several proponents expressed interest.

Sherman Drew, a Niles attorney, shared his passion for the potential he feels this park could have on Niles.

“I’ve lived here my whole life and I’ve seen this city from what it was to what it is today,” Drew said. “Niles has a lot of problems. This is a flicker of hope that we can make this a better place.”

Drew said the city is plagued with abandoned factories left by international companies who closed their Niles operations and left the buildings to rot — or worse, hurt someone.

“Maybe by taking a step in the right direction [with the dog park], we can begin to solve these problems,” Drew said. “A dog park is a good thing. We should support it.”

Andrews invites those supporting the dog park to join her at the city council meeting Nov. 13, and to donate to the GoFundMe page at gofundme.com/ruff-tumble-dog-park.

Andrews also invited those with concerns to contact her or like Ruff & Tumble Dog Park on Facebook. She can be reached at (269) 683-2829 or kat@atax.org.