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PUTNAM NEWS
Dogs, owners celebrate opening of new park
Putnam County Commissioner Stephen Andes, Parks Commission Member Shirley Searles, Parks Director Scott Williamson and Putnam County Commissioner Joe Haynes watches as his wife, Project Director Karen Haynes, cuts the ribbon at the opening of the new dog park in Valley Park.
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HURRICANE, W.Va. -- More than 600 dogs and 2,000 of their owners on Monday took advantage of the new Hurricane dog park and the Hurricane Wave Pool's third annual dog swim.
The roughly $2,000 dog park construction gave room for dogs and their owners to run free and play safely. Pets and owners alike also had a chance to socialize and have fun without a tugging leash to disturb either party.
Parks and Recreation Director Scott Williamson said, "We had an outstanding event. Parks is trying to listen to what the community wants in its parks, and we're doing our best to accommodate as many of those requests as we can."
A second dog park is expected to open at the county park in Eleanor on Oct. 4.
In addition to the festivities, participants could donate toward the construction of the proposed Putnam County Animal Relief Center. At the close of the event on Monday, $2,117 had been raised in contributions. Thus far in the fundraising campaign, roughly $80,000 total have been received, inching the center closer to construction.
Karen Haynes, spokeswoman for the center, said she was grateful for the support that she continues to receive toward this project.
"I just appreciate all the help that I've been given from the community and businesses to raise money to build the new shelter because I really couldn't do it without them."
For more information about the dog parks, call Scott Williamson at 304-562-0518 or Karen Haynes at 304-757-7584.
