PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Approximately two years ago, the City’s Rec & Parks Department began reviewing all of the city’s parks and determined that Peace Park on Parsons Street was underutilized.
As a result, the park will soon be renovated to include a dog park and parking area (Phase 1), updated playground area (Phase 2), and walking loop (Phase 3). The proposed Dog Park at Peace Park on the west side of the city will include a large play area, divided in two, for all dogs, large and small! The large fenced in area will allow dogs to run free in a safe environment with access to water, sitting areas and other amenities. It will also include benches, tables, a dog wash station, and a utility drinking fountain area with a dog drinking bowl. The dog park portion of the project is not tax-payer funded and will be dedicated to the loving memory of Erica Hemphill.
The parking area will have 18 parking spaces, two of which will be designated for handicapped parking. The National Guard will be constructing the driveway and parking lot as a readiness training project.
It is estimated that the dog park will cost $60,000. The first donation has already been pledged in the amount of $1,000 from a local real estate business. Ground-breaking is scheduled for this summer depending on donations.
Tax-deductible donations can be made at the Sargent Family Community Center by cash, check or credit card. Checks should be made payable to Presque Isle Community Development Association, or PICDA. These can also be mailed to PICDA, Attn: Dog Park, 12 Second Street, Presque Isle, ME 04769. In addition, a Go Fund Me account has been set up and can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/f/s6pxhn-the-dog-park-at-peace-park.
A video about the dog park, which includes a schematic of the proposed amenities can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/NextHomeTeamDan/videos/3064029687190302.
For more information about the renovations to Peace Park and/or the Dog Park, please contact Gene Cronin, director of Rec & Parks, at 207-764-2545 or by email at gcronin@presqueisleme.us.
For more details, please check out the events page under the What’s Happening Tab on the City’s website or call 207-760-2722.