Weather will determine when Oconto Falls Dog Park closes

By: 
Warren Bluhm
Editor-in-chief

The Oconto Falls Dog Park won’t close on Nov. 1 after all, unless the city happens to get a major snowfall between now and then.

At the request of several residents, the Oconto Falls City Council voted unanimously Oct. 11 to allow the weather, not the calendar, to determine the opening and closing dates for the dog park along Maple Avenue.

Since it opened in 2019, a a Girl Scout Gold Award project of Oconto Falls High School graduate Emily Gonnering, the park has been closed from Nov. 1 to April 1.

Alderperson Ashley Bahrke said she was approached by people in the community who asked if the season could be extended.

“Not asking for year-round (operation), but I was wondering if we could consider having it open until we would announce its closure based on the weather,” Bahrke said.

The spring opening of the dog park season would also be determined based on the weather, she said.

Street Superintendent Allan Winkler said the change would not be a problem. The only necessary change on site would be to remove the sign that says the park is open April 1 to Nov. 1.