A generous donation from a prominent Hays family for the Friends of the Hays Dog Park project is a “huge boost,” according to FHDP President Kim Perez.

Ten-thousand dollars is going to the dog park project, donated by Henry Schwaller IV in honor of this grandparents, Henry and Juliette Schwaller.  The elder Schwaller recently passed away

Perez  says the donation moves the project within $4,000 of  meeting the goal of $33,000 for Phase One.

The city is allowing the dog park to be built in phases at the Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex.

“Phase 1 would cost $32,845.17 and include fencing for a 1-acre area, a staging area, a finished parking lot, and other park amenities,” explains Perez.  “Phase 2 will cost $42,269 and will include the fencing for a five-acre area.  And Phase 3 will cost $33,686 , to include the installation of additional amenities for the park. ”

FHDP volunteers have held three fundraisers this summer and have two more planned for this summer and fall.

All donations are processed by the Heartland Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Greater Salina Community Foundation.