Howling good time planned at park site
By Catharin Shepard
Published in News on October 18, 2009 2:00 AM
It's almost time for dog lovers to get their running shoes on and to leash up their dogs for the Stoney Creek Park Howl-o-ween.
After nearly a year of preparation, the Stoney Creek Park Alliance is moving forward with plans for Goldsboro's first official dog park. The Howl-o-ween on Halloween morning will invite Goldsboro residents to come out and have fun while raising money for the park.
The event will feature a 5K run/walk, dog trot and owner-canine costume contest. Proceeds from Howl-o-ween will go toward the construction costs of the park. The Stoney Creek Park Alliance is hoping to raise $40,000 from this and other fundraising events. Installing the fencing will be the most expensive item, director Dr. Peter Roethling said. The finished park will also include water for dogs and people.
Safety concerns have been a major part of the planning process during the early stages of development. The organization members visited several dog parks, spoke with dog professionals and will unveil their work at the Howl-o-ween event.
"We've been working for the past year on preparing the rules, regulations and operations for the dog park," Roethling said. "We feel really comfortable with the level of safety for our dog park."
Other parts of the park are also quickly taking shape. The disc golf feature has proven to be very popular, and the Howl-o-ween fundraiser will make use of the expanded walking trails for the first time.
"We're excited. We've already seen with the placement of the disc golf a large upswing in the use of the park," Roethling said. "We have about two or three miles of track in the park. We're excited that will get some use now."
Roethling also hopes the fundraiser will make more people aware of the new stretch of walking trail, he said.
The 5K run/walk will begin at 9 a.m. and the dog trot will begin at 10 a.m. Oct. 31. Registration fees are $20 before the 5K and $25 the day of the event. Registration for the dog trot is $10 and $5 for the costume contest.
"It's been a great collaboration," Roethling said.
The Alliance hopes to unveil further details about the dog park on the day of the event.