Dog Park for Seeley Lake pitched to Community Council

SEELEY LAKE – Seeley Lake resident Laura Wood presented an idea to create a dog park at the Council’s July 8 meeting. Wood was hoping to receive some community feedback and support from the council before she developed the idea any further.

Wood felt there is a growing need for an area to take dogs to play. Most of the lake areas have either stopped allowing dogs on the beaches or have strict leash laws.

Wood’s dog has been attacked several times by loose dogs in town and a dog park would provide a safe place to be off leash. It could also be a place for people who love dogs but, for various reasons, can’t own a dog themselves.

The park would be fenced and have dog play equipment such as an agility course. It could also be used for events like the Dog Days of Summer event that used to be put on by Seeley Swan Veterinary.

The park would need several acres of land including adequate parking. She didn’t feel it would be a good fit at the community park at the grade school but has her eye on some private land in Seeley Lake.

It was suggested that she contact Pyramid Mountain Lumber Inc. about the area the mill dumped fill into between Spruce Drive and Pine Drive a block north of Redwood Lane.

Wood plans to visit Dog Parks in Missoula to look for ideas and find out how they were funded. She has already identified several grants that are available for dog parks.

The Council voted to endorse the concept of the dog park and encouraged Wood to continue pursuing the idea.