Dogged pursuit

ROYAL CITY — Never try to tell Kristi Jenks that something can’t be done.

Jenks, 10, began the effort last year to create a dog park for under-entertained canines in her home town, and she’s still pushing steadily.

Some might say doggedly.

“I was watching TV, maybe two years ago,” she said. “And it was where these people help kids accomplish things that they've already started, and one of them was for a dog park for training service dogs. That night I took Silver for a walk. And I was telling my mom, and I said we need to get a dog park in Royal City.”

Last year she took her idea to the Royal City Council, and they thought a dog park was a great idea. The city even had a patch of land designated for a park that it wasn’t using, at the north end of Beech Avenue.

“There's an empty field… and they don't know what to do with it,” said Kristi’s mom, Heather Jenks. “And they said they need more park space but don't have any money to help. So if she can make it happen, they would love that.”

So Kristi went to work. First her sister, Seila Christensen, helped her apply for a grant, which didn’t come through. Kristi applied again and was turned down again. The situation clearly called for more direct methods.

Earlier this month, Kristi sent out about 50 letters, outlining her vision for the park and asking for help.

“Remember how I said the city doesn’t have money to build the park?” she wrote. “Well, I don’t either. I’m 10. My budget is $25,000. I think if everybody pitches in we can do it.”

To handle the money when it came in, Kristi and Heather turned to SHOC (Strengthening the Heart of Our Community), a local nonprofit organization dedicated to improving Royal City. SHOC agreed to keep track of the funds raised.

“If you know Kristi, you are aware that she would be responsible and honest with your money,” Heather wrote in a supplemental letter sent out with Kristi’s. “However, in an effort to follow sound business practices with such large amounts of money, she has teamed up with a 501(c)3 so that you can have confidence in donating to her cause. Your monetary deduction will also be tax-deductible.”

The letters went out on Aug. 10, and by Aug. 15 they had a donation of $100. Others in the local community have promised donations as well.

In addition to this, Kristi has set up a Facebook fundraiser that, as of Aug. 19, had brought in $830.

The committee that organizes Summerfest, Royal City’s annual festival, has agreed to let her screen some movies in the park to raise money as well. Meanwhile, she’s applied for more grants and is cautiously optimistic.

Kristi’s vision for the park includes separate spaces for large and small dogs, where they can run free, without those pesky leashes restraining them. The land the city has set aside two acres, but Kristi only has her eye on about half an acre. The money would go for things like fencing – 700 linear feet, Heather said – as well as toys for the dogs to play on and under. Upcycling some old tractor tires would work for some of that, Kristi said. There would also be benches so owners could relax while the dogs play.

The park would be accessible via double-gated entrances, she said. Those have two gates with a small space in between, so only one is open at a time. This eliminates the risk of dogs running off while a gate is open.

“Anything you can do to help would be awesome,” Kristi wrote in her letter. “I think it is important that everyone is recognized for their Donations. I plan to have a donation board at the finished park that lists all the donors.”

“She is very excited to see her dream come true and realizes the magnitude of a project this size may take a couple of years,” Heather wrote. “She is committed to see it through.”

The Royal City Dog Park Facebook donation page can be found at https://bit.ly/RoyalDogPark.

Joel Martin can be reached via email at jmartin@columbiabasinherald.com.