Maine news, sports, weather from Waterville Morning Sentinel

New dog park opens in Augusta

Pooch-friendly event held in Gardiner

By Mechele Cooper mcooper@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

Tasha stood back and watched Foxie and Mandy chased each other around the dog park.

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SNOOP DOGS: Dogs and their owners meet in the Gardiner Common Saturday during the Barks in the Park event.

Staff photo by Andy Molloy

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Bashful and uncertain, the 2-year-old Pomeranian wasn't quite sure what to make of the pair.

Her owner, Paul Lariviere, a member of the Kennebec Valley Humane Society Board of Directors, thought Augusta's new dog park that opened Saturday at the Edwards Mill Park would be the perfect environment for his pet to socialize.

He said the dog park is a perfect environment for dogs to exercise and socialize safely.

The park included a 4,900-square-feet fenced area for smaller dogs and a 9,600-square-feet area for large sized dogs.

"I think this is just fantastic," Lariviere said. "It's nice that they got two sides, one for big dogs and one for smaller dogs, especially when you have a timid tilly. She was raised with cats and never met a dog she liked or tolerated so this is good for her. It's a great environment."

The park open Saturday with a ribbon ceremony at 10 a.m. More than 40 people and their dogs showed up for the event.

Mandy, the 8-month-old Schnauzer, is owned by Donald Bolduc of Augusta. The retired millwright moved back to the city two years ago from Florida and missed having a place where his dogs could romp.

"I missed the dog parks we had in Florida, they were all over the place," said Bolduc who sat on a wooden bench in the park and watched Mandy play. "I read about this dog park opening in the newspapers, that's why I'm here. And I'll be back often."

Mac Lavigne came all the way from Mount Vernon so Foxie could meet other dogs.

"I want my dog to have friends," Lavigne said. "I live alone so he doesn't get to socialize. He's just having a ball with that pom."

Dan Nichols, former president of the Augusta Rotary Club, came up with the idea of building a dog park. He said the club raised close to $9,000 and the city donated the land.

Seeing the dogs and their owners enjoy the park prior to the ribbon cutting ceremony made it all worth while.

"It's beautiful," Nichols said. "Absolutely beautiful."

Augusta Mayor Roger Katz came out for the ceremony. Katz said he enjoyed seeing all the smiling faces and wagging tails.

"It seems like a long time in the making, about a year, which is seven years in dog years," Katz said. "And there's room for expansion with programs that center around dog activities."

Katz said after the ceremony, he planned on bringing his two mini goldendoodles to the park.

"My wife and I have kept it a surprise," he said. "We've kept the newspapers away from them."

While the Augusta dog park officially opened on Saturday, organizers in Gardiner were well on their way for a successful Barks in the Park festivities on the Common to raise money to build a dog park in that city.

Chris West, executive director of Gardiner Main Street, was busy selling T-shirts in the gazebo. He said the event will promote Gardiner as a dog-friendly community and raise money for the park, but also promote dog rescue groups.

"This is turning out great," West said as the event got underway. "There's a lot of vendors and local rescue groups."

Coastal Maine Great Dane Rescue manned a booth at the festival. Josh Sargent, a carpenter from Franklin, brought his 22-month-old Harlequin Dane, Tucker, to the event.

The 140-pound Dane was fitted with a pouch with the rescue's brochures.

"People get Danes as puppies and think they're cute, but don't realized how big they get," Sargent said. "Then they turn them over to a shelter or rescue group."

Roger Curran, president of Great Dane Rescue , said this is the kind of an event that helps rescue groups can get the word out. His group has found homes for 18 Danes this year, he said.

"Anything that promotes rescue groups and shelters and dog parks is great," he said. "At the Brunswick Naval Air Base they're trying to get a dog park in there. It's very much in the early stages. Parks are a great way for dogs to socialize and get some exercise."

The City Council will be asked to consider allowing a dog park to be constructed at the city's Waterfront Park. West said a dog park would help promote Gardiner as a destination.

"And we can do that in different ways -- through websites and iPhone apps and businesses," West said. "It will show that Gardiner is a dog friendly town."

Nichols said the group wants to sustain the park and are accepting donations and in-kind services. Those who would like to make a contribution can call him at 626-2336 or do it by mail. The Rotary Club's address is Box 118, Augusta, ME, 04330.

Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, ext. 408

mcooper@centralmaine.com