Enfield Dog Park Needs More Volunteers To Prevent Permanent Closure

ENFIELD, CT — The Enfield Dog Park is in danger of temporary or even permanent closure if more volunteers are not found to help with maintenance.

Established in 2011 on property adjacent to the Enfield transfer station, the dog park is totally reliant on volunteers. A core group of five volunteers do all the fundraising and arrange for maintenance of the park, but more are desperately needed.

"The group’s members are all over the age of 50 and not physically able to go in and empty poop stations, rake and maintain the park, and spread wood chips," board member Bob Marshall said.

Due to the current lack of volunteer help, the park will be closed this Wednesday through Sunday. The gates will be locked and police will be patrolling the park during that time, Marshall said.

"The park was built for the enjoyment of local individuals and their four-legged family members, but recently we have come to realize that we don’t have enough volunteers to help with everyday maintenance," Marshall said. "To keep the park open permanently, we need volunteers to sign up and commit to a regular schedule for "Park Patrol" or even a board member position."

The two biggest fundraising campaigns of the year are Puppy Pride at the Moose Lodge on South road on June 3, and in conjunction with that is the annual Dog Park Mayor Contest.

"We could use help with both of these large events as well in both the planning stages and the day of the event," Marshall said.

For information on how to volunteer and help prevent a permanent closure, contact president Karen Pugliese at enfielddogpark@gmail.com, or Marshall at enfielddogparkevents@gmail.com.