Dog park shelters under construction

dog park frame 2 — Shade shelters are being installed in the Hays Dog Park, the final phase of the project. (Photos courtesy Chris Miller, Asst. Hays Parks Director)

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Construction on the two “people” shade shelters at the Hays Dog Park began Friday.

According to Friends of the Hays Dog Park President Kim Perez, the builder QSI started has started framing the structures. “Unfortunately, the dog park will be closed this weekend and early next week while the work is underway,” Perez said.

“This will result in a positive improvement for the park.”

The entire dog park project, begun in 2011, has been funded by donations and grants to the Friends group. A Dane G. Hansen Community Grant through the Heartland Community Foundation was awarded specifically for the final Phase 3–installation of the shelters.

According to Hays Parks Director Jeff Boyle, the shelter in the small dog area will be 16’ x 16’ with a larger 20’ x 20’ shelter in the large dog area.

Both structures come from Quality Structures Incorporated (QSI) which installed a similar shelter in Ekey Park, 19th and Holmes Road. The city is donating the labor for laying concrete sidewalks and pads.

The Hays Dog Park is located on city land at the Bickle Schmidt Sports Complex.