County makes mark with bark park

With only a few fence posts in the ground, Libby Commissioner Tony Berget said a new dog park will be completed this fall.

The current park is located on the north side of the soccer fields at J. Neils Park, near Northwood Manor. The finished product will feature a football field-sized, fenced grassy area equipped with several fire hydrants. According to Berget, there is talk of adding dog tunnels to the park as well.

“People want to let their dogs chase Frisbees, but the dogs cannot be on the soccer fields because they leave little surprises,” Berget said.

There is no funding specifically set aside for the park, as the county plans to gather materials for the park from resources that are already county-owned or by donation. Fencing for the park was obtained through what Berget called an “Indian trade” with Troy. No money has been spent on the park thus far.

Berget credited the idea for the new park to County Road Foreman Marc McCully. Berget said McCully suggested the solution of building a dog park following several complaints from dog-owners regarding a lack of places for their dogs to go.

McCully said a dog park is a necessity for many dog owners in the area. Like Berget, McCully hopes the new park will keep dogs off of the playing fields.

“It’s going to be great,” McCully said. “Once we get the money, we are finishing it.”

Berget anticipates the park will be put to good use by Libby residents once they become aware of it.

“It’s like the walking paths around Libby,” Berget said. “You don’t expect a lot of people to use them, but once you put them in and people hear about them, they are all over them.”

Local dog owner Sally Sauer plans to visit the dog park upon its completion. Sauer is the owner of a three-year-old, rescued stray named Snoop. The two live in an apartment where Snoop does not have much room to run and play.

“I love the idea,” Sauer said. “Some dogs are always by themselves and never get to play with other dogs. (The park) is a good thing.”  

Although the plan is not set in stone, Berget said Libby School District students may have the opportunity to name the dog park in the future through a school-wide naming contest.

“All those little things add to a community,” Berget said. “It’s what makes a home a home.”