Tonight (12.3.18) the Shelby County Commission (SCC) unanimously passed a resolution sponsored by Commissioner Mick Wright for a $25,000 grant to Lakeland’s new Dog Park.
The money will be paired with a $25,000 grant given to the City in August by the Boyd Foundation and used for phase 1 of the project.
Link to August story: https://lakelandcurrents.com/lakeland-dog-park-grant-presented-today/
The Park is to be within Zadie E. Kuehl Memorial Park at 3065 Yukon Dr. The anticipated opening date is summer or fall of 2019.
Commissioner Wright said, “As county commissioner for District 3, it is my intention to equitably split our share of the community enhancement grant budget throughout the areas I represent, and these funds represent just a fraction more than Lakeland’s due share of the county’s community enhancement grant budget.
“By passing this resolution, the County allows the City of Lakeland to provide a public match of the private grant it received from Dog Park Dash earlier this year, without expending any city tax dollars. The new facilities will enhance the quality, use and safety of the park and offer Lakeland citizens a new opportunity for building community and meeting neighbors.”
He added, “In conversations with both outgoing Mayor Wyatt Bunker and Mayor-elect Mike Cunningham, there was a shared belief that this would be a good project to support with these funds. It was my pleasure to support this project, and I thank City Manager Shane Horn and Parks Director Kevin Rooney for their help in completing the grant application process and for appearing before the commission when it discussed the resolution in committee.
“In the coming years, I look forward to working with all of the City’s leadership and to continue seeking ways to improve the quality of life in Lakeland.”
The owners of The Pet Hospitals at 3031 Canada Rd. in Lakeland, Jimmy Murphy and Hank Wright, were instrumental in donating 3.6 acres to the City for the Dog Park. The donation was in conjunction with The Pet Hospitals building their new location and moving from leased space at The Corner Shops in Lakeland.
Mr. Rooney said,” We will start getting the design details worked out early next year, and then hopefully move onto construction as planned. I would say as long as everything goes to plan, summer/fall of next year would be the anticipated opening date.
“Once we get all of the designs figured out, we will have a better idea on a date for the grand opening.”
