Quality of life: dog park to open

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Clay Murray
  • 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  Hill Air Force Base is scheduled to open a dog park, located adjacent to the base youth center, Oct. 29 for Team Hill members and their pets.

The original idea was spearheaded by Suzann Chambers, wife of Col. Scott Chambers, 75th Air Base Wing commander, as a quality of life program that would attract pet-lovers and provide an opportunity where the owners could visit with one another in a one-of-a-kind service to Team Hill members.

"The purpose of the park is to get our dogs together to socialize, and in doing so, bring people together to do the same," said Mrs. Chambers. "With our high deployment rates, this could be a lifeline to someone that may not have otherwise left their home while their spouse was deployed."

Mrs. Chambers held several focus groups for interested parties to share their thoughts about the proposed dog park.

"I believe there were many on this base that thought there should be a dog park," said Mrs. Chambers. "Our focus group proved there was definitely an interest ... and was designed with every dog in mind.

"Originally we looked at an area that was large enough to accommodate two separate sections -- one for larger dogs and one for smaller ones. Our final design is one big park without divisions."

Designing and building the base dog park has been quite an undertaking. Initially the local housing contractor agreed to provide the land to build, but thereafter withdrew their agreement. The new location is on 75th Air Base Wing owned-land. Maintenance of the dog park will be provided by the 75th Services Division.

"Now that it is on base land, the 75th Civil Engineer Group stepped up in an amazing way and extended the existing sprinklers, added sod and fencing, and will install the benches and signs. The CEG could not do the work before as it was originally on Boyer Hill Military Housing land," Mrs. Chambers said. 

Aaron Toman, son of Laura and Lt. Col. Todd Toman, 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander, saw an opportunity to lend a helping hand. He is a young boy scout on base with two boxers of his own, and had a keen interest in helping the dog park idea get on its paws.

"I had an idea for a dog park on base," said Aaron, "and then I found out that Mrs. Chambers was interested in one too. Since I'm working to earn Eagle Scout I wanted to help."

"For my Eagle Scout project I teamed up with Mrs. Chambers to organize the idea and went to meetings," said Aaron. "I contacted several companies and asked them if they would donate to our base dog park."

Both Mrs. Chambers and Aaron are proud of their efforts in creating and designing a dog park for all Team Hill members to enjoy. They are anxious for the grand opening of the park and hope that all will enjoy.

"All dogs are welcome as long as they behave. We are trying to make housing a friendly neighborhood, first with the splash pad and now a dog park. If we get our neighbors out to meet others we have done a good thing."

The ribbon cutting ceremony for the base dog park is scheduled to be held on Oct. 29 at 4:30 p.m.