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Playground for Pooches Planned for Vint Hill
It won't be long before Madden, Nicholas, Bilbo, Dude and all of their friends have a place to play without constraints.
According to Joel Haspel, co-founder of an organization called Piedmont Dogs, the group is in the process of building its first off-leash dog park at Vint Hill. The facility will be situated on 1.25 acres at the corner of Aiken Drive and Kennedy Road.
“We moved to Vint Hill about two years ago, and one of the first things we did was rescue a little black Lab puppy," Haspel said. "He’s a good dog, but he’s a bit of a handful. When we lived in Fairfax, we were able to take advantage of the dog parks there. [So] I contacted the Vint Hill Economic Development Authority about building one here.”
It has taken nearly two years to get all the necessary approvals, identify a site and establish Piedmont Dogs. The group started fundraising only three or four weeks ago and has already received about $2,500.
The goal is $10,000, the money earmarked for fencing at the park.
So far, the group has raised money mostly through word of mouth. Letters and flyers have also been distributed to local, pet-related businesses. Additional fundraising events may also be held in the coming weeks.
If all goes according to plan, the park could be open sometime this summer.
“We are confident that we’ll get to our goal in a few months," Haspel said. "The first step will be to [install] the fencing so the dogs have a safe place to run and play. Then we’ll add some [more] components, such as dog agility equipment to make it even more fun.”
The park will be free and open to anyone with dogs who wants to participate, Haspel said.
See the Fauquier Times-Democrat for the complete story...
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