Cheboygan County’s New Dog Park Initiative: A Crowdfunding Effort to Transform Community Space
LANSING, Mich. – In an inspiring community effort, Cheboygan County is set to convert an underutilized section of the local County Fairgrounds into a vibrant dog park. This transformation is spearheaded by community members collaborating with local authorities, aiming to create a safe space for dogs and their owners.
A crowdfunding campaign is at the heart of this project, facilitated by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) through its Public Spaces Community Places initiative. Hosted on the Patronicity platform, the campaign aims to raise $40,000 by January 14th. Achieving this goal will secure a matching grant from the MEDC, effectively doubling the funds available for the park’s development.
“Dog Parks are a win-win for dogs, dog owners, and community members without dogs alike; they create a safe contained area for dogs to gather and play and divert conflict in areas where dog access may be discouraged,” stated MEDC Regional Prosperity Managing Director Paula Holtz. “We are pleased to support and provide resources for this project through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”
The planned dog park will feature amenities such as a high-quality perimeter fence, benches, shade-providing trees, dog waste stations, and informative signage. This initiative promises to enrich the local community by providing a designated area for dogs to play while activating an otherwise neglected piece of land.
“The Michigan Public Spaces Community Places Grant program will play a vital role in bringing the Cheboygan County Community Dog Park to life, fostering a welcoming space for pets and their owners,” said Ron Weisberger, Cheboygan County Community Dog Park Co-Chair. “This initiative not only enhances community engagement but also will activate the use of an underused public space.”
The Public Spaces Community Places initiative, a collaboration between MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity, empowers communities to fund strategic projects through crowdfunding and MEDC’s matching grants. To learn more about this program or apply, visit https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.
“This dog park will provide Cheboygan County a new space for creating community engagement,” asserted Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director of the Michigan Municipal League. “By taking an underused piece of land, they will create a vibrant third space for its resident pet owners and their pets.”
Since its inception in 2014, the Public Spaces Community Places program has facilitated over $13.4 million in matching grants, resulting in the successful completion of 395 community projects with a 97 percent success rate. More than 73,339 individual donors have contributed to the program, raising over $15.3 million.
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