Park nearly ready for dogs

Talk about it

The Jamestown Parks and Recreation Commission learned that Pepper’s Dog Park in Jamestown will go to the dogs on May 30.

Commissioner Joyce Heinrich said there will be ribbon cutting and a short ceremony at 5:30 p.m. at the park, located along 13th Street Southwest.

Gravel still needs to be installed for the parking lot, and signage and benches also need to be installed; otherwise the park is nearly ready for the dogs and their owners.

Heinrich said she’s contacted a local Boy Scout troop to search the area for gopher holes and fill them in, as well as clean around the park’s perimeter.

Some trees may also be planted to provide shade for the canines and their owners.

The commission also decided on a few purchases at Monday’s meeting.

A motion to attempt purchase two trailer houses from Federal Emergency Management Agency for use in the parks passed 3-1 with Commissioner Mike Landscoot opposed and Commissioner Wade Spitzer absent. A Smithco machine to groom the softball diamonds was also included in the motion.

FEMA is selling the trailers from Minot with the price tag of $7,500 apiece. The commission also set aside about $2,000 for transportation from Minot to Jamestown and setup once they arrive. The Smithco costs about $17,000.

One of the used FEMA trailers will be installed in Leapaldt Park and one by the horseshoe pit in McElroy Park, said Parks and Recreation Director Doug Hogan.

The installation of the trailer at Leapaldt Park will allow a summer program for youth to be moved from Wilson Arena to the park.

“I don’t think we’ll get a chance like this again. I don’t think we can build anything for $7,500 I know we can’t,” said Shelia Harr, Parks and Recreation business manager. “I know the camper at Leadpaldt works but those guys are just crammed in there — it’s like a little sausage.”

The commission also heard from chairman Larry Knoblich on Measure 2, as Knoblich presented at a meeting later Monday evening.

Capital projects, Social Security and the pension program through the Parks Department is all funded with property tax, Knoblich said. As a whole, 55 percent of the budget is dependent on property tax.

“Good grief we really depend on property tax, and we’re one of many entities that do,” he said.

Sun reporter Ben Rodgers can be reached at 701-952-8455 or by email at brodgers@jamestownsun.com

Tags: local news, news, park, pets