Volunteers sought for community dog park prep in Vacaville

Originally published in The Vacaville Reporter on July 17, 2015 By Kimberly Fu.

Doggies everywhere need you to lend a paw and help make their dream of a new dog park in Vacaville a reality.
Today, dozens of volunteers are expected to descend on Centennial Park, the section where police canines train, for a community work day.
The aim is to begin cleaning up the park to make way for the planned dog park, an estimated 1.3 acres split in two sections — one for big dogs, one for small ones. Wood chips would pad the ground and make for a soft landing for sensitive paws. The estimated cost is $95,000.
Organizers are rallying to win the national Bark for your Park contest, of which the city is a top finalist. A win could bring between $25,000-$100,000 for the park. Last day to vote (and you can vote twice daily) is Wednesday.
But officials emphasize that the time is now to make things happen because, regardless of the win, the park will be coming.
The community’s Bark for Vacaville team says volunteers are needed from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. A light breakfast (doughnuts and coffee) and barbecue lunch will be provided. There will also be a question and answer session during lunch.
Tasks for the day include raking, weeding, removing debris, old soccer fencing/goals and old carpet/turf rolls, among other things.
Volunteers are asked to wear boots and gloves and bring any garden tools they can spare. Especially needed are garden and leaf rakes, hoes, flat blade shovels, wheelbarrows, wrenches and digging bars.
Any and all help is appreciated.
For more information on the clean-up, send e-mails to hew.hesterman@cityofvacaville.com or jenngoode77@yahoo.com.
For more information on the Bark for your Park contest, visit vacavillebarks.com.