Cape woman raising money to put a shelter or umbrellas at dog park

Cape Girardeau's dog park, "Dogtown," is a popular destination for pet owners on warm sunny days, but as summer temperatures rise, attendance seems to fall.

Some frequent visitors say lack of shade makes it difficult for dogs and owners to enjoy the park.

Lucy Fehr has lived in Cape Girardeau for 14 years and started visiting the park with her first puppy last spring.

The park opened in November 2013.

She now has two "fur babies" that enjoy regular visits to the park, and Fehr said she and many other dog owners are grateful to have a place for their pets to run around leash-free.

Ripley the pug trots around in the sun Wednesday at Dogtown. More photos are in a gallery at semissourian.com. (Laura Simon)

The only downfall, she said, comes in the summer.

Without shade, it's too hot to take the dogs to the park until 7 p.m. or later.

Conditions last summer were "horrid," she said.

"The dogs would play for maybe two minutes, if that, then go hide under the tables for shade," Fehr said.

In her conversations with friends and acquaintances made at the dog park, she said the topic of getting some shade came up a few times, but conversations "went nowhere."

Fehr said she was supportive of starting an effort to raise money for some type of structure or even umbrellas but didn't want to be a primary organizer of such an event.

Eventually, someone suggested a GoFundMe account.

Fehr on Sunday created the page "Fund a Roof for Cape's Dogtown," but she's working to get the word out to people, especially pet owners. The page is available at gofundme.com/pnph98.

Fehr said she doesn't have a specific type of structure in mind and would like to approach the city's parks and recreation department when some funds are raised to see what is possible.

Parks and recreation director Julia Thompson said the department is aware of the shade issue.

The dog park initially was placed in that area of Kiwanis Park because it's near a popular pavilion and allows space for expansion.

A few trees have been planted around the enclosure, but it will take a while before they are large enough to offer shelter from the sun.

The department has discussed plans to install a type of shelter that would shade part of the small- and large-dog areas, but funding is an issue.

If individuals or a group are interested in donating money, Thompson said the department would be interested in working with them.

Another funding option is approaching businesses for sponsorships and advertising with signs along the park's fence.

The structure could be built in-house, which would save money, she said, and would be placed on a prioritized list of park projects.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

2100 Rotary Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.