Old Cedar Rapids dog park to reopen; second park on the horizon

Happy days are on the horizon for dogs and their owners in Cedar Rapids and the metro area.

The City Council is slated to approve a contract in September for the renovation and reopening of the flood-damaged Cheyenne Dog Park off Old River Road SW. If all goes as planned, the park could be back in operation by late September, Julie Sina, director of the city's parks and recreation department, reports. Costs for the work will be paid by Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster funds.

The 1 1/2-acre training yard next to the main yard reopened in the fall of 2008, but that's a big reduction from the 18 grassy acres that were once usable there.

At the same time, the council this week will set a public hearing for Sept. 14 to hear comments before seeking bids on the proposed new Squaw Creek Off-Leash Dog Park on city-owned land near the Gardner Golf Course at Highway 13 and Highway 100.

The Squaw Creek dog park will be on 10 to 11 acres and will have a walking trail, parking lot, training area and areas for small and large dogs, Sina says.

The first phase of work at the Squaw Creek dog park will cost an estimated $115,000, with the park opening now slated for the summer of 2011.

In the future, the Squaw Creek dog park may also include three shelters, benches and a drinking fountain, Sina says.