Section of East Marion Park Approved as Site for Dog Park

BYMALLORY PANUSKA TIMES WEST VIRGINIAN FAIRMONT — A section of East Marion Park was offi­cially approved as the future site of a countywide dog park last week. Dan Talbott, executive director of the Marion County Parks and Recreation Commission (MCPARC), explained that the park will be located in an area that measures between three and four acres behind the softball field at the East Side recre­ational facility. MCPARC is working in conjunction with the Fairmont Interested Dog Owners (FIDO), a group pro­moting construction of the park. “We’ve been working with a group of really, really great people,” Talbott said of FIDO. “We are working with this group in helping them help their cause.” Currently, an engineer is working on the specifics of the project, which will ideally be either a completely or par­tially fenced-in area where responsible pet owners can bring their dogs, Talbott said. He said the area will also be “off-leash,” which he explained is a term used all over the country that refers to an area where owners can let their dogs off their leashes to run around and play with other dogs. But the dogs must always be controlled and must stay in the designated area, he added. Talbott also said that the area will be a mixture of open field woods, which will offer benefits to pet owners utiliz­ing the facility because the trees would offer shade in the summer and some protection from the elements, and the fields will give them room to play catch and other games with their dogs. Other benefits can be found within the social aspect of the park, Talbott said. “A dog park is more than taking your dog for a walk,” he said. “It’s a social thing. It helps the owner get exercise as well as the pet. It’s just good for the community.” FIDO’s next meeting was to be held this weekend, and Talbott said members will be discussing fundraising efforts for the park as the next step in moving the project for­ward. He added that the group will also need to solicit the City of Fairmont to consider passing a special ordinance to allow for the park to be constructed at that location because it is within municipal limits.

MCPARC Meeting

David and Dan presented information to the MCPARC Board of Directors this evening. Thanks to several of our FIDO members who were in attendance to show support including Aaron Pollock, Stephanie Wilson, and Wendy and David Spurling.

After some discussion, the MCPARC Board approved our proposal of using the property at East Marion Park with the following provisions:
1) a survey be done of the area
2) the city approve an ordiance for an off-leash area
3) a detailed report of the projected costs

Thanks again for all of your support. You can still send in donations to MCPARC or pledge for later. We will continue to keep you posted. Our next official meeting will be held on Monday, February 9th, 7PM in Room 104 of the J. Harper Meredith Building.

East Marion potential location for dog park

By Paul FallonTimes West Virginian
FAIRMONT — The proposal to build a dog park in the area moved one step closer to reality Monday night. One of the major obstacles that must be overcome for the dog park to be constructed is locating property. And members of the group promoting construction of the dog park, Fairmont Interested Dog Owners (FIDO), are asking that a portion of East Marion Park be used for the proposed dog park.The particular portion of land is approximately three acres and is located behind the softball field, said Dan Talbott, executive director of the Marion County Parks and Recreation Commission. MCPARC is sponsoring FIDO. “We think this is a really good spot for the dog park,” Talbott said. A dog park is a fenced in area where people can take their animals to play. The dogs can be let off the leash once they are inside the fenced-in area. The proposed site is close to water, which is a necessity for a dog park, said Dave Garcia, the lead member of FIDO. Garcia added that additional parking can be built near the site. “It’s a really nice place, and it’s centrally located,” Garcia said of the site. Garcia added that the site was also wooded in areas and open field in other. This would benefit pet owners utilizing the park because the trees would offer shade in the summer and some protection from the elements. The clear fields would also give the pet owner the opportunity to play catch with their pets, among other games. Although the group is asking for that particular piece of property, no concrete decision has been made. Therefore, the site for the park may change in the future if problems with the East Marion Park location arise. Although members of FIDO have possibly located a site for the park, they still need funding to help construct the facility. “Fencing is going to be the most expensive thing we’ll have to buy,” Garcia said. “It has been estimated that we’ll have to buy about $15,000 worth of fencing to enclose that area.” Anyone wishing to donate money to help fund the dog park may do so by sending a check to: MCPARC, 319 Monroe St. Fairmont, WV 26554. Checks should be made out to MCPARC but designated for FIDO in the memo line. Talbott pointed out that donations are tax-deductible.

Another Step Closer

The group has taken another step closer to making the dog park a reality. A motion was made and passed that the East Marion Park site (behind the softball field at Wave Tek) be pursued as our intial dog park in the county. A presentation will be made to the MCPARC Board of Directors on Tuesday, January 20th, at 6PM at the J. Harper Meredith Building, fourth floor. Plan to attend and show your support if at all possible.

If you are interested in making a contribution to FIDO, our suggested levels of giving include $25 individual, $50 family, and $250 founder or business (to be recognized at the park), although any amount would be appreciated. Make checks payable to "MCPARC" with a designation in the memo for "FIDO" and send to: MCPARC, 319 Monroe Street, Fairmont, WV, 26554.

The next FIDO meeting will be held on Monday, February 9th, at 7:00 P.M. in Room 104 of the J. Harper Meredith Building.