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PUTNAM NEWS
Dog days come to Putnam County
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. -- You know the words, so sing along... "Who let the dogs out?"
Well, Parks and Recreation did on Monday during the opening of Putnam County's new dog park located at Valley Park in Hurricane.
The dog park, designed so that owners can unleash their pets and let them run free without worry, was dedicated just before the county's annual Dog Swim at Waves of Fun.
Valley Park and the Wave Pool welcomed more than 600 dogs and 2,000 of their faithful owners at the end-of-summer affair. The dog park, which cost roughly $2,000 to create, gave room for dogs and their owners to run free and play without the worry of "Rover" roaming away. In this carefree environment, pets and owners alike also had a chance to socialize and have fun without having to constantly tug on a leash.
"We had an outstanding event," said Parks and Recreation Director Scott Williamson. "(Putnam County Parks and Recreation) 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 Monday, $2,117 had been raised in contributions. Thus far in the fundraising campaign, roughly $80,000 total funds have been received, inching the Center closer to construction.
Spokesperson for the Center, Karen Haynes, 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 Williamson at 304-562-0518 or Karen at 304-757-7584.
