New Grand Marais Dog Park close to reality – 2022 construction plans look hopeful

Go Dog North Shore Board of Directors on the site of the future Grand Marais Dog Park. Left to right: Mary Lou Sorensen & her Doodle Lucy, Barb Heideman and Dolly the Collie, John Mattice (Chance the Wonder Dog is camera shy), Cathy Quinn & June Bug the Sprocker and Randee Olson (Cooper T. the Newfie had a previous engagement). Photo courtesy of Cathy Quinn

In May of 2021 Go Dog North Shore (GDNS) embarked on a rigorous fundraising campaign to raise a minimum of $60,000 to build a new dog park within the City of Grand Marais, Minnesota. Since then, over 170 individuals and a handful of local businesses have contributed to the campaign. In addition, in December of 2021, the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation approved and fully funded Go Dog North Shore’s grant proposal in the amount of $10,000. To date, GDNS has raised over $51,000! “We are so grateful for our supporters, including the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation, for investing in this important community asset!” said GDNS Board President, Cathy Quinn.

While there is much to celebrate, the fence is not up yet! GDNS is launching their final fundraising efforts so that they can stay on track with plans to build the new dog park in the spring/summer of 2022. Since there is no public funding for this project, they continue to rely entirely on individuals, businesses and organizations to make this park a reality. “GDNS Treasurer Barb Heideman described the project as “a community effort in the truest sense”.

GDNS formed in 2013 with a mission to promote healthy, active human and dog relationships on Minnesota’s North Shore. GDNS fulfills its mission by providing a temporary dog park (closed in November of 2021) and by developing the new purpose-built park which will allow dogs to continue to exercise and socialize off-leash safe from predators, traps and traffic. In addition, GDNS hosts skijoring races, a walking club and obedience training sessions.

Visit www.godognorthshore.org for details on the new dog park plan or to find out how you can contribute to their efforts.