Ellisville Dog-Park Talks Continue Wednesday

Depending on a decision by the Ellisville City Council, a dog park may officially be in the works for all dog-owners in West County.

Councilmember Linda Reel said she was approached two years ago about the idea of a dog park in Ellisville. Just prior to Ellisville’s City Council meeting on Wednesday, Reel and the rest of the dog park’s 20-member committee will give a presentation on the park’s budget estimates as well as pictures of the prospective locations.

Those two locations are in Bluebird Park. Reel said the preferable, more affordable location is where the park's volleyball courts once stood. The second option, which sits near the back of the park, would require a path built for access and would cost “quite a bit more” than the other location, Reel said.

Reel said voting for the park likely will occur at the Council’s July meeting due to a busy schedule at its meeting on June 15. If one of the properties is approved, Reel said the park should be built within a year.

Reel said the park would be funded only by donations and fundraising. Some of the groups’ financing ideas include the Ellisville Pooch Plunge scheduled for September, a pet parade on the Fourth of July and t-shirts to be sold at the Farmers Market in Bluebird Park on Thursdays.

“I have a very good group of people who are dog-oriented and they really want this to happen,” Reel said. “I know it’s possible if we can get the property.”

Supporters of the dog park are encouraged to attend the committee meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday at . All attendees will recieve a free dog-park slogan sticker. Owners may not bring their dogs to the meeting.