Eureka students lead the pack on dog park project

By Holly Eitenmiller For Chronicle Media
Kelsey McClannen, left and Marissa Herrmann were first inspired to plan Eureka Lake Bark last year in Cheri Ogg's social studies class. The two were pared in an assignment to create a plan that would improve the community.

Kelsey McClallen, left and Marissa Herrmann were first inspired to plan Eureka Lake Bark last year in Cheri Ogg’s social studies class. The two were paired in an assignment to create a plan that would improve the community.

It’s time for tricks and treats this weekend at the Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest at the Eureka Upper Lake Pavilion on 203 Lake Road.

The event is culmination of efforts by Eureka Middle School students Marissa Herrmann and Kelsey McClallen, who first drafted the idea of a local dog park last year as seventh-graders in teacher Cheri Ogg’s social studies class.

“The project was called Students Engage. It was a project designed to show students that, regardless of their age, as citizens they have a responsibility to get involved and make our school, community and/or world a better place,” Ogg said

The two were paired in the assignment to create a persuasive presentation from research, planning and cost projecting, then present that plan to someone directly connected to that proposition. The girls dubbed it Eureka Lake Bark Park and presented their “pet project” to Eureka Mayor Scott Punke.

“We thought he’d say, ‘That’s really good!’, but he sent us to the parks committee,” McClallen said. The City of Eureka Parks Committee is governed by chairman Chuck Germann and board members Milt Hinnen, Laurie Klaus and Gene Rossetti.

With the committee’s assistance, McClallen and Herrmann were able to determine a suitable location away from flood-prone areas where water could be sourced for automatic watering features, such as water bowls and a misting fire hydrant.

From there, the project evolved into Eureka Illinois Dog Park Committee and on May 2, the group was granted space in the upper region of Eureka Lake.

“It’s official…We got the land space for a dog park!!!” EIDPC posted that day on its new Facebook page. “Let the fundraising begin!!!”

The Eureka Illinois Dog Park Committee is raising funds through special Eureka Bark Park apparel and gear from jcscreenprinting.com. (Photo courtesy of EIDPC Facebook)

The Eureka Illinois Dog Park Committee is raising funds through special Eureka Bark Park apparel and gear from jcscreenprinting.com. (Photo courtesy of EIDPC Facebook)

As simple as a dog park may seem, the girls quickly learned it may cost more than they anticipated. “When we first started out we thought the fence would be around $1,000,” Herrmann laughed. “We looked on Amazon.com.”

The bark park measures around 60 yards, divided in half for small and large dogs. It will require benches, and signage, as well as amenities, such as pet waste stations. The actual sticker price of the park is around $30,000.

Armed with grant-writing skills, Amber Harmon of Eureka is assisting EIDPC in garnering funds and has currently applied for a Pet Safe Community Grant from State Farm Insurance.

In the meantime, Eureka Christian Church raised $1,586 at its July 25 quarter auction, and EIDPC has been offered Eureka Bark Park apparel and gear from jcscreenprinting.com.

The Howl-O-Ween event on Saturday, Oct. 29 is hosted by Woodford County Chronicle. Registration is at 2 p.m., and judging begins at 2:30.

Categories are; funniest costume, scariest costume, cutest costume, best owner/pet costume combo and best overall costume, the last of which chosen by popular vote. Entry is $10, and all proceeds go to the Bark Park.

To download a registration form for Howl-O-Ween, and for more information about the event and the organization, visit the EIDPC Facebook page.

The page also features a Donate button, where Paypal, credit and debit card donations may be made. Donations also may be made by mail to City of Eureka Dog Park Fund, 128 N. Main St. Eureka, IL 61530.

 

— Eureka students lead the pack on dog park project —