COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL April 27, 2016
Tail-wagging news!
“
Woof-Thank-Woof-You!” bark all the Cot-
tage Grove dogs, as they give the new off-
leash bark park four paws up and a tail wag! The
park is a gift to the community, courtesy of the
Nisewander family.
The soon to be pup-ular location is the grass
fi eld owned by the Nisewanders, which is behind
their Lu Lu’s Car Wash at 1104 E. Main Street.
“I kept reading in the Cottage Grove Sentinel
editorials,” said Steve, “about residents wanting
a dog park. I thought, ‘Hey, I mow the big fi eld
behind the car wash and it might be a solution for
the residents, their dogs and mine!’
I was surprised how fast things moved. I con-
tacted City Hall about my idea and they ‘caught
the ball’. Even though the park is privately owned,
the city offered to carry the insurance and put up
signs to create a public dog park.
Every day that I am working on the park I see
dozens of dogs strolling by with their owners.
They approach me and make ‘no bones’ about how
excited they are to see the park coming together.
We are hoping to have it up and running with its
proper entrance/exit safety gates by June and the
police will monitor the park on their patrols.
Creating the park is a community effort. I had
the land, Michael Praegitzer from National Con-
struction (also another animal lover) drilled the
fi rst 36 holes for the fencing at the north and south
ends of the park with gates. Evan Follett, one of
our son’s high school friends, helped me set the
posts.”
The car wash is open 24 hours a day, but the
dog park will be open from dawn to dusk. There
will be 25,300 square feet of open space for your
dog to socialize and two entrances into the park
— One at the car wash and the other next to the
Row River Trailhead, at the public parking lot on
N. 12th Street, behind the Post Offi ce. The city
is supplying street signage to direct traffi c to the
parking lot and park’s rules within the park.
Currently, it is a dog park for all sizes, but Steve
is considering designating a few hours a day for
small dogs only.
It is important for humans to “go” before you
come, since the only available toilets are at Coiner
and Bohemia Parks.
Steve and Mary have another reason to be ex-
cited about their park. Their 100-pound, fi ve-
year-old rescued Malamute, Thor, could use some
friends.
“We changed his name to Thor,” said Mary,
“when we adopted him, because we wanted him
to leave his old life behind and have a new self-
image in his new life.”
Thor must be as excited about the park as his
humans!
“Thor is a big dog,” said Steve, “and a breed that
is used to running in packs and socializing. Imag-
ine his joy at having a new pack to play and romp
with every day when he comes to ‘help’ me main-
tain the car wash! It is healthy for dogs’ spirits and
physical health to exercise, so we feel he and all
his new friends and he will be very happy.”
7A
The parks are friendly and a paws-itive asset
to the community. As a non-dog owner, I stop by
and visit them to meet interesting people and for
the fun! They are a place to meet new friends, our
neighbors and discuss the wonders and craziness
of dog ownership.
Come to Lu Lu’s Dog Park and enjoy others
smiling and laughing, as canines happily greet
each other, play, sniff and run with joyful aban-
don. Thank you to Steve and Mary for creating
this wonderful gift to our community.
“We hope the community and their dogs love
the dog park,” adds Steve.
Photo by Mary Ellen “Angel Scribe”
TIPS
Steve and Mary Nisewander and their dog
Thor, have a gift of happiness for Cottage
Dog parks cost money. The fencing is $4,000, Grove’s community, tourists and their
then there is mowing, garbage pick-up and doggy dogs!
waste bags. Those interested can help by donat-
ing to Cascade Lumber, (ask to deposit into the
Dog Park account for the fence) or donating on
Share your pet tips and tales.
the Cottage Grove Dog Park’s GoFundMe’s ac-
angelscribe@msn.com
count (https://www.gofundme.com/y7gke65w/
donate).
“Follow” Pet Tips ‘n’ Tales on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/PetTipsandTales
Steve would like to include a big bin of dog
balls, chew ropes and frisbees. The park could
Adopt Loving Pets
also use picnic tables and or metal benches so pet
www.PetFinder.com
parents can rest while their dogs play. Those with
extras of either to donate or want to offer paws-
Humane Society for Neuter/Spay Assistance
itive suggestions on making this the park of their Program. (541) 942-2789
dog’s dreams can email Steve at nisewander53@
gmail.com
Visit our “farm store” on Q Street just of of West Main in Cottage Grove
Fresh locally grown vegetable plants,
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We carry a great selection of WAVE® petunias.
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At Pam’s we recapture our water and fertilizers for zero runof and
we recycle our plastics.
Energy curtains and automated systems mean we use less energy too.
Nurseries! Always “GREEN”
Open 9-5 Wednesday through Saturday
Open 11-4 Sunday
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Health Services Directory
Counseling & Mental Health
South Lane Mental Health
Dental Health
Douglas G. Maddess, DMD
Serving Cottage Grove Since 1988
Dental Health
New Patients Welcome
Jonathan E. Backer, D.D.S.
Preventive and Cosmetic
Family Dentistry
942-8437
Dr. Bitner D.D.S., P.C.
350 Washington Ave s Cottage Grove
Lumineers
The Most Natural Veneer
(behind International Fitness)
Dr. Shane Parsons
605 Jeferson Ave.
Cottage Grove
New Patients
Welcome
1551 E. Main St.
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Please call for an appointment at 541-942-9171
Grant’s Hearing Center
Jenna Buetow
Oregon Hearing Aid Consultant
541-942-8444
1498 E. Main St.
www.grantshearing.com
1325 Birch Avenue, Cottage Grove
541.942.2471
Park W. McClung, DDS & Tammy L. McClung, DDS
SALES AND RENTALS
541-225-5443
148 Gateway Blvd
Cottage Grove, OR 97424
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OPEN at 9am Mon. - Sat. U Convenient Walk-Up Window
541-942-7934 Hearing
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