The Dog Park rocks!

That's photographer Anne Sheridan with her dog at the park on Friday....

Ever since the Dog Park opened last year, it’s been well-used & has become one of the more popular places in town.

Here’s an update for the Update from Lori Stokes:

New Island Dog Park is Rousing Success!

Last fall, a wonderful new addition to our island opened:  Eddie & Friends Dog Park. It has been – by everyone’s estimation – an absolutely phenomenal success.  The strong sense of community that the park creates/reinforces is unlike anything else.  It brings together people of all ages, cultures and socio-economic backgrounds  — people whose paths might never have crossed otherwise.  The dogs love it.  The people who come to the park with their dogs love it.  And the people who visit it say it is one of the very best dog parks they have ever seen.

At almost any time of day, any day of the week, there are at least a few cars in the parking lot.  And at many times, the parking lot is practically full.  As Jack McKenna, one of the park’s steering committee members, commented, “We thought we were building a C battery, and instead it turns out that we built a 150-watt light bulb!”

Creating the off-leash park was clearly a community effort.  Hundreds of islanders made financial or other contributions.  Most important was the generosity of Terry and Rob Browne (Terry’s dog Eddie is the “Eddie” in the park’s name), who agreed to let the park be located on a beautiful two-acre site adjacent to Browne’s Home Center.

Here are some comments from park users, taken from the park’s guest book and other communications that the dog park steering committee members have received:

Comments from the people:

“The dog park is awesome!”
“Each day we drive to town, and as soon as we turn on Mullis, our dog knows we’re almost there.  His enthusiasm for the adventure ahead is obvious.”
“This is the very best thing that has happened in Friday Harbor since I moved here 12 years ago.”
“The park is a lot of fun for dogs and owners alike – it is truly a great addition to the community.”
“My dog and I traveled across the country last year, and never came across another park (dog or otherwise) which could begin to compare.”
“This is the best community gathering place on the island.”
“I thought it was all about the dogs, but it has turned out to be an opportunity to meet great islanders I wouldn’t have met otherwise.”
“The dog park is just another facet of heaven on our island.  It brings happy dogs and happy people together every day.”
“We don’t currently own a dog, but we come to the park on weekends to play with other people’s dogs.  It’s our ‘doggie fix.’”
“All I can say is WOW!  What an amazing facility you have created here.”

Comments from the pooches:

“It’s my very favorite place to go!”
“Best smells in town!”
“Woof woof!”
“I love coming here so I can run and play with my new friends.”
“I am sooo glad the island has a place like this.”
“A great place to romp and roll.”
“I was an abused rescue dog who has been adopted by a wonderful lady on the island.  She takes me to the park every day, and I’ve changed from a dog who was timid and scared into one who is fun-loving, confident, and playful.”
“We love it here, and so do our human companions!”

Comment from Lori Stokes, co-chair of the dog park steering committee:

“If you have a dog, I hope you have taken your dog over to the park.  If you don’t have a dog, I hope you have at least driven into the park to take a look and to enjoy watching all the happy dogs running, jumping, chasing balls, playing with each other, or just sniffing all the yummy doggy smells.  If you haven’t yet dropped by, I hope you will do so soon…you’re missing a very special place on our very special island!”

Eddie & Friends Dog Park is located on Mullis Street, between Browne’s Home Center and the fire station.  It is open daily from 7 a.m. until dusk.

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