Dogs love to play but parks all over Utah County are keeping them on a short leash. Soon those dogs will have a new park where they can run free, without a leash.
“In most of our parks, dogs have to be on a leash and people like to let their dogs run, so this will work for all those that want to use the parks and just let them run for a little bit,” said John McMullin the Utah County engineering parks division manager.
Fourteen-year-old Parker Wimmer is the brainchild of this big project. He is using it to earn his Eagle Scout Award and it’s proven to be quite the challenge, but to him this is much more than a badge.
“I wanted to do something that would leave an impact for a long time and that a lot of people could use. Utah County really needs a dog park; it will make a lot of people happy that are dog owners,” said Wimmer.
Wimmer is working with McMullin to turn Lehi’s Willow Park into a dog park with all the bells and whistles, complete with fencing so that the dogs can play unleashed.
“It’s a project that is more involved than most projects we have seen…if it all goes as planned, should be a great benefit for people in the county,” said McMullin.
To get the construction going Wimmer needs to raise 3,000 dollars to turn an overgrown piece of land into a park. The money will go towards the fencing, ground cover, signs for the park and concrete for the entrance. Once he raises all the money, Wimmer will recruit some friends to help out with construction.
“We are doing the Labor and digging the holes for the fencing and laying the concrete and stuff,” said Wimmer.
Wimmer’s dog Max will be the first dog to use the park, where he will finally be able to play with his family unleashed. Wimmer is only 800 dollars away from his goal, and once he has the last of it the shaping of the park can begin. He is hoping to start construction in a month or two.
