Dog Days of Summer

The Trussville Dog Parks Auxiliary started with a post on Facebook.

The post, which inquired about interest in a local dog park, quickly garnered attention, and a group of pet owners decided to take action. 

“Most people are driving probably at least 20 minutes or more to get to a dog park,” said Dana Larkins, vice president and secretary of the auxiliary board. 

Along with Larkins and President Jaime Anderson, the board consists of Cindy Underwood, Joanna Garcia and Bill Wills.

Together, and with the support of the community, they are now raising money for the Cahaba Dog Park, which is set to occupy a nearly 2-acre piece of land near Spradling Field. 

“It has parking, it has access to the community greenway that’s going to be open, which is fantastic, because people can walk down to the dog park and then go back on the trail to the parks,” Anderson said. “Basically, we connect all of Trussville.”

In order to raise the nearly $25,000 needed for the fence, improvements to the land, water lines and other work, the auxiliary has begun participating in community events. On Aug. 19, the group will have a table in front of  Three Earred Rabbit during the downtown Folk Art Show.

According to Anderson, there has been no shortage of community support, with businesses like the Three Earred Rabbit, Marco’s Pizza and Iceberg’s partnering with the group on events. Other establishments that have offered support include Fit for a Crown, Sherry’s Cafe, the Great Harvest Bread Company and the Classic Cars & Garage Museum.

“That just proves that the Trussville community has really rallied around us and are excited,” said Anderson. “Most are either dog owners, dog lovers or they know somebody who is, and they know it will enhance the community.”

Mayor Buddy Choat and the city council have also been supportive, according to Anderson. 

“I think the new Cahaba Dog Park will be a big success,” said council member and liaison to the Parks and Recreation Board Zack Steele. “There is definitely a groundswell of support for it in the community, and it will be a nice accent to our new greenway.”

The park will make no exclusions based on breed, but rather allow entrance based on behavior. “So if your dog does not know how to behave and socialize with other dogs, we encourage you to come to the training sessions that we’re hoping to be able to offer,” Larkins said.

According to Garcia, dog parks can be vital to a pet’s health. 

“They enjoy it,” she said. “It gives them a chance to exercise, to get the stimulation, to socialize, and it just makes for a healthier, happier dog, really.” 

She also emphasized the auxiliary’s plans to use the park as a tool to create responsible dog owners within the community. 

For residents such as Tammy Griffin, a dog park could also offer opportunities to create new connections between people. 

“To think that we’re getting one here is super exciting,” she said. “You meet people that you might not run into any place else, because pet people bond with other pet people.”

Although there is no opening date set for the Cahaba Dog Park, Anderson hopes that, once it opens, it will only be the beginning. 

“We hope in the future to have more parks in other parts of Trussville,” she said. 

To stay updated on the park’s progress or to become a member, visit trussvilledogparks.comor find them where it all started: facebook.com/trussvilledogparksauxiliary.