NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa (KCRG-TV9) -- The North Liberty City Council will consider purchasing land for a dog park at its June 12 meeting.
The land is about 11.5 acres on North Liberty's east side. The initial plans include parking, benches, shelter and more than 7 acres of fenced-in space for dogs to play. Initial estimates to build the park are around $750,000.
“Three years ago, we first met about the possibility of having a dog park in North Liberty," President of JC Dog PAC Jake Villhaur said. "Next week, it can take its next step towards becoming reality. We’re thrilled that more than 1,000 residents voiced their desire, and the City of North Liberty made finding land for this a priority."
Local non-profit Johnson County Dog PAC has donated $50,000 for facilities and plans to do more fundraising to help outfit the park. Dog lovers in the city say they need a fenced-in area to run with their pooches.
"If you drive through North Liberty you will see people walking their dogs all over the place. So having an opportunity for them to take dogs to let them run, let them be dogs and socialize I think is extremely important. Not just for the sake of the dogs but for the sake of their owners and also the overall well being for our community," Villhauer said.
Residents can keep up with the progress at northlibertydogpark.com.