The new Hancock dog park is gonna stick around awhile, at least 50 years. The City Council approved a lease at Wednesday’s meeting to use the one-acre parcel owned by David and Lisa Mattila near the Maasto Hiihto Trailhead.
What the park looks like is still up in the air, as there are lots of funding possibilities still up in the air. Hancock’s concept has been named a finalist for the PetSafe Bark For Your Park contest. Recreation Committee member John Diebel says that in and of itself is an accomplishment.
The ten winners are determined by popular vote. You can vote once a day per email address through August 31st. Hancock’s smaller population makes the format an uphill battle, so the city is asking everyone to help spread the word and stuff the cyber ballot box. The link is here.
Twenty-thousand dollars of funding will come from the Hancock Recreation Fund. A Patronicity campaign is underway also, lasting until September 17th. If donations meet the Recreation Committee’s goal, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation will match that at a one-to-one ratio, generating another $40,000. A link to the Patronicity page is here.