A ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening was held this (Friday) morning in Atlantic, for the Buck Creek Dog Park, located on the northwest side of the Schildberg Recreation Area.

Parks & Rec Board President Stuart Dusenberry cuts the ribbon for the Buck Creek Dog Park

Local dignitaries, park staff, Street Department personnel, the Dog Park Committee, Parks and Rec Board members, and members of the public gathered for the event, which, according to Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones has been in the works for about four-years, ever since his daughter came to him asking why Atlantic doesn’t have a facility similar to her town, in Nebraska.

Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring says he got the ball rolling by asking Dr. Keith Leonard (retired) from Atlantic Animal Health Center (currently owned by The Hoffman Family, and Dr. Victora with the Cass County Animal Clinic,if they would be willing to place collection jars at their businesses, to garner interest and funds for the facility.

After the Parks and Rec Department publicly announced plans for the Dog Park, Herring says a member of the community stepped forward with a substantial donation. Kevin and Christi Garrett put up $1,000 as seed money.

A huge chunk of money for the fencing came from the Cass County Community Foundation, which provided a grant amounting to $10,000, or nearly two-thirds of the cost.

Eagle Scouts Cain Page (Left) & Eric Wieser (right). Parks & Rec Director Roger Herring (Center)

And, two young men with the Eagle Scouts contributed time and labor toward the project, including Eric Wieser, who built and installed the exercise and agility equipment at the park. Cain Page, who built cantilevered sunshades and benches. Steve Livengood, of Atlantic also contributed a substantial amount of his time and effort toward the project.

Herring thanked everyone who donated their time, effort and of course contributions toward making the Buck Creek Dog Park a facility Atlantic can be proud of.