New leash-free dog park opens in Toro Park, created by Boy Scouts – Monterey Herald

SALINAS — A  local park has opened where dogs don’t have to wear leashes.

The Quail Meadows Dog Park at Toro Park was designed and constructed by local Eagle Scout Nathan Poggemeyer with help from members of Troop 60 Spreckles.

The fenced-off area is spacious, contains bags to clean-up after dogs and contains splinter-free chips, the same kind used on playgrounds for children.

Poggemeyer, 19,  spent more than 430 hours on this project, including planning, contacting community members and fundraising.  The project cost about $6,000, with the county providing about half for the special wood chips.

Early last year, Poggemeyer contacted the county Parks Division and expressed his desire to construct a dog park at Toro Park after hearing from local residents that there is a shortage of leash-free dog parks in the area.

Currently, the Monterey County Code requires that pets be leashed when in county parks. Poggemeyer worked with officials to lay out plans and garnered support from the community.

Bryan Flores, chief of parks, said the county was proud to work with a group like the Boy Scouts for something that’s very community-driven.

“It’s a first for us, people will be able to allow their dogs to run free here without fear of citation,” Flores said. “And we’re very grateful to the Boy Scouts of America.”

Poggemeyer said, “I hope it’s a space for people to come and have fun. For those who don’t use the dog park, you don’t have to worry about dogs coming up to you.

“But then it allows the dog owners to have a space to let their dogs run and socialize.”

Life Scout Mark Macias, a 17-year-old member of Troop 60, said he will be in charge of adding some recreational opportunities.

“I knew there’d be some people from the county here. But I didn’t realize there’d be this many here and especially so many dogs just right away,” Macias said. “That made me really happy to see.”