PILOT BUTTE — The town of Pilot Butte is looking to establish its first year-round dog park site.
Through consultation with residents, the town’s Dog Park Advisory Committee identified a location along Chateau Crescent, which was approved by council.
“It offers a large open space, it’s town property, so already owned by us. It offers a number of parking spaces. There’s already some greenery within it. And so it was decided upon that that would be our primary location,” said Alicia Andrusiak, Pilot Butte’s director of parks, recreation and culture.
For years now, Pilot Butte would operate a temporary dog park during the winter at one of its baseball diamonds.
Andrusiak said this created challenges with limited resources.
“It didn’t really offer a long-term resource for our community.”
Andrusiak also said the town had to consider the damage the ballpark would incur from the temporary dog park.
“We wanted to make sure that the ball diamond was preserved and the quality of that space as well.”
The town’s next hurdle is securing funding for the dog park, with costs covering items such as benches, signage, fencing and other amenities.
“Quotes we received, I believe, in 2024 and depending upon the provider, they ranged anywhere from $20,000 to $36,000 just for fencing,” noted Andrusiak.
Part of the high cost of fencing is dividing the park into two areas.
“For us, being able to split the overall perimeter into a small dog section and then a large dog section just kind of makes it as open and inclusive as possible,” noted Andrusiak.
Overall, town officials estimate the park could need $50,000.
According to Andrusiak, the Dog Park Advisory Committee has two years to make progress on the site.
“[If not], it will be returned to basically town property and could be seen for other use if needed,” said Andrusiak.
Andrusiak said the park would be a huge draw for new residents.
“Anything like this, I think, attracts people, and it makes it a livable community.”
Those looking to make a financial contribution to the park can find additional details here.
