Doggy dip event at Red Oak pool Aug. 28

The Red Oak Park and Tree Board held its regular monthly meeting Aug. 11.
On the agenda was approval of a request to hold a doggie dip event at the Red Oak Pool from 5 to 7 p.m on Aug. 28. Sara Orme has been spearheading the event, suggested waiving the fee to use the pool. Park Board Chairman Bill Drey was in agreement to waive the fee.
The board approved a motion to waive the rental fee, and an insurance waiver.
Cost to attend is $5 for one dog and two humans, and an additional $1 for each additional human. Only cash or checks will be accepted, and season passes will not be honored.
Additionally, there are some guidelines and rules in place for everyone who participates in the doggie dip event.
• All dogs must be licensed and up-to-date on vaccines, including Rabies, Distemper/PARVO, and Bordetella.
• Owners are responsible for any damage or injury caused by their dogs, and must clean up after their dogs if they make a mess.
• Participants must be 18 years or older to bring a dog; children are welcome to attend with a parent or guardian.
• All dogs must be at least six months old and on a leash. Participants are requested to leave toys at home.
• Finally, all participants must sign a 2022 doggie dip waiver, which will be available at the door.
All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Heart of Southwest Iowa Animal Coalition.
The board also approved a request from the Friends of the Red Oak Trails to hold Trick or Treat on the Trail from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Evergreen Cemetery. Beau Boeye, representing the organization, said the event would be run the same way as it has been in years past.
“Our back-up plan would be like we did last year. We still need to get confirmation, but in the event of rain, we’d plan to hold the event at the Montgomery County Family YMCA,” Boeye said.
Boeye gave an update on the Inman Trail project, a joint venture between the Friends of the Red Oak Trail, the Red Oak School District, and the City of Red Oak.
“It initially spearheaded from our Heritage Hill walking trail, connecting the downtown to Chautauqua Park. Then we really started focusing on the connection between Chautauqua Park and Evergreen Cemetery. After talking with cemetery superintendent Brad Baker about the congestion at Inman, and how it’s causing damage to the cemetery grass, our priorities shifted and we saw a bigger opportunity that we could tackle,” said Boeye.
Boeye said they are envisioning a trail that runs from the southeast entrance and exit of the cemetery to the Inman property, taking the trail through the campus up Inman Hill to Irene Court.
“We’ve discussed the project with city administrator Brad Wright. Wright said there’s a city right of way between some houses there that connect Irene Court to Chautauqua Drive, so now we’re looking at a complete trail segment that would take people from Inman Drive to Chautauqua Park,” Boeye explained.
Another possible portion of the project would be a parking lot on the east side of the Inman campus that would provide additional loading and unloading space in the area. The final piece of the puzzle is funding.
“We’re currently looking at Transportation Alternative Program funding which has been used for all of the trails that we’ve erected here. That would provide 80% of the project’s funding, and we would pay 20% of it. We’re also looking at a partnership between us, the City of Red Oak, and the Red Oak District. The city and school both love the idea, and conversations are moving forward, and we’re waiting to hear from the engineer on cost estimates and see if the project can be done in total, or in phases,” advised Boeye.
The board also approved a request to build a free library box at Little Wilson Park on Sunny Slope Drive. Drey offered to provide assistance to dig the hole for the post for the box if needed.

The Red Oak Express

2012 Commerce Drive
P.O. Box 377
Red Oak, IA 51566
Phone: 712-623-2566 Fax: 712-623-2568

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