SunRiver and Residents Use Unique Resources to Develop Dog Park

“It is amazing what you can get done when everyone works together”, is the new mantra from Trish Souther, a resident of SunRiver and now proud participant with her dogs at Dog Patch, the newly developed dog park for use by SunRiver residents.  The November 5th ribbon cutting was the culmination of more than a year of fundraising and hard work to make this resident/developer partnership happen.  Souther was instrumental in bringing together numerous individuals, businesses, and SunRiver Development to bring the dog park to fruition.  “It was a labor of love, and once I got into it I was overwhelmed at the generosity, as well as the cooperation of everyone who was asked to help.  Dog Patch came about because Souther kept hearing and seeing dogs causing trouble when they were being walked and seeing some dogs off their leashes. She realized that these dogs needed a place of their own to run and play.

A meeting with Darcy Stewart, developer of SunRiver, lead to the parcel of land where this dog-loving group could develop Dog Patch dog park for the residents of SunRiver. In addition, Stewart challenged Souther and her group that if they raised $5,000, he would match that amount to help get the park off the ground.

The task was to now take this desert land and turn it into something where everyone could enjoy it, especially the dogs. Souther and her group went to work talking to everyone they could think of and engaging them in the dog park concept.  Soon cash and in-kind donations began pouring in.  A recent chili cook off, Dog Patch t-shirt sales, and generous donations from residents and friends helped raise an initial $7,000 and along with the SunRiver Development match they were ready to begin. The Chili cook off was such a success that there are plans to hold another one to continue funds-raising efforts for future upkeep and to upgrade the now 0.60 acre enclosed park.  The SunRiver Woodworking Club even got involved and constructed a handmade bench to go under the shaded area.

Vendors and local businesses like Plant World stepped up and offered free landscape design consulting and discounts when supplies were ready to be purchased. Working along side volunteer residents, SunRiver Development helped coordinate the construction of the fence, irrigation, planting, shade structure and additional cart path. When it was complete, the volunteers had planted over 50 small trees, bushes, and vines.

According to Scott McCall, Development Coordinator for SunRiver St. George, “SunRiver is excited to be involved in this wonderful neighborhood amenity for SunRiver residents.  Working along side our volunteer residents and providing additional resources this was truly a joint effort-win/win for everyone, especially for the dogs.”

“While The Groundskeeper, the landscape maintenance company that works for SunRiver Golf Course, mows and maintain the sprinklers for free, Dog Patch is being maintained by the residents who use it and it is the greatest thing. We police ourselves while using Dog Patch.  All day long, there is a constant flow to and from park and that makes it all worth the effort and hard work,” stated Souther.