Hurttahaka ry of Ilmajoki built a long-needed dog park in Ilmajoki. Now in the large dog park of about 600 square meters, found behind Mötätuuli Areena, both big and small dogs can go outside on their own.
The idea of a dog park to be built in Ilmajoki was started by the association's current chairman Laura Mäki-Välkkilän after getting a dog for himself in 2017. The idea was fueled by an accident that happened to him, which made it difficult to go out with the dog due to a plastered leg.
- With that leg in plaster, I wondered what else I would start doing.
A year later after acquiring the dog, a foundation meeting of the association was organized and this is how Ilmajoen Hurttahaka ry began, which began to promote the implementation of the project. The project received a positive funding decision from Liiver and the first kökke was organized in 2020.
Challenges and learning new things
Carrying out the project was new and we got help and advice from others. When the dog park was still at the idea level and we were thinking about how it would be worthwhile to take the matter forward, Mäki-Välkkilä got in touch Risto to Lahti, who advised where to start.
- I'm not really a paper worker, so at the very beginning I contacted Risto and asked where to start. Risto then advised to start an association and told where to contact.
Currently working as the mayor of Ilmajoki Ari-Pekka Laitalainen was helping in the search for a building site and was the one who suggested the final location. The forest is a wonderful place for dogs to be outside, but clearing it brought its own challenges to the project.
- It was a hard job in land reclamation to make good foundations for the park. At the same time, it consumed a lot of hours of work, the workers of which were challenging to get to the place, however, a committed core group made the project possible, says Mäki-Välkkilä.
A huge amount of positive feedback
The dog park has received an enormous amount of positive feedback, especially for its large size and good location. In a large park, dogs have plenty of space to run and play.
- The best thing about the project has been the feedback that has been received, it has been really positive.
Users have found a place in the dog park very well. All dog owners in the area can walk their dogs there for free, as long as they remember to follow the common rules found on the park wall.
- Somewhere there were even some rumors that the park would be subject to a fee, but really it's about a park open to everyone.
We hope for everyone's contributions to the maintenance
The dog park is maintained by an association run by volunteers, so it is important for the cleanliness of the park that all users commit to keeping it clean.
- It would be nice to see that all users take care of it.
The association takes care of emptying the garbage and, for example, maintaining the park's fences. A long-term plan for the maintenance of the park is still being planned, for which sponsors will probably be sought.
The dog park was built with Leader funding. Do you have a similar project idea? Get to know to the financing possibilities of the communities.