DYER | Julie Przybyla’s terrier mix, Buster, 13, is like a member of her family.
“He was adopted from a local shelter,” she said. “We moved into our subdivision (Heritage Estates) in part because of the amount of dogs here. We fit right in.”
Przybyla is now president of Dyer’s Dog Park Committee, and part of the effort to bring a dog park to Dyer.
Since first meeting this past winter, the group has become a subcommittee of the Dyer Community Foundation, which has allowed it to begin raising money.
Its first fundraiser is the sale of doggie items, such as bandannas, to benefit the future park.
The Dyer Park Board has already set aside a site for the dog park in Central Park. The committee will have to raise the money to make it happen.
The committee has established its email address and is looking at a plan for the park.
The first phase of the park will include fencing and security.
Although dogs are currently allowed in the Dyer park system, they must be leashed. A fenced dog park would be a place where owners could allow their dogs to play off-leash. Committee members are discussing adding water, electricity, agility equipment and benches to the park.
Parks Director Mark Heintz has said he expects a keycard entry system that will allow users to enter the park. There is no electricity in Central Park, but keycard entry likely could operate on a battery-powered system.
Installation of fencing and the keycard system might cost as much as $35,000, with construction financed by money the committee will raise.
The proposed dog park is a 3-acre site on the west side of Central Park, south of a new road and parking area the town is looking to put in the park.
Fees for the park have yet to be set. There will more than likely be an annual fee, obtained through registration with the town, Heintz said. Owners also will have to submit proof that the dog’s shots are up to date.
“It’s the same type of process used in Frankfort (Illinois) and Lowell,” Heintz said.
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