Dog days of fundraising: Advisory group looking to expand dog park

Jan 12, 2021

This fundraiser’s for the dogs — literally. 

Dartmouth Dog Advisory Working Group, or DDAWG, is holding a month-long calendar raffle fundraiser this January to contribute towards its ultimate goal: a permanent dog park.

Organizers have been trying for years to fund the park, which would be located across from the town’s current park in a recreational area at 443 Old Fall River Road.

DDAWG President Diane Camacho said the group’s regular fundraising dinners and events have been cancelled due to the pandemic. This month’s raffle — in which donors win prizes in a daily drawing — is just one of a few Covid-safe ideas to keep money coming in.

Most of the money raised, she said, currently goes toward maintenance and other expenses at the current park.

One major moneymaker for the group has been collecting cans, according to Camacho, and they also hope to get funds matched by the town’s development office.

“I know it sounds sad, but every nickel counts,” Camacho said. “We’re hoping that by the time the project gets going again that we’ve got that match for the town.”

Camacho noted that although the town released some funding in November, a bulk of the fundraising has been through Giving Tuesday this past December.

So far, more than $8,000 has been raised.

“We’ve been at this for a lot of years and we’re not going to give up until we get something for the dogs,” Camacho said. 

DDAWG volunteers have already cut down some trees at the designated two-acre site for the future dog park, according to Camacho.

“The lot is clear and ready to move,” she said.

She noted that current plans for the new park include designated areas for little dogs and big dogs.

“It’s tough to run with big dogs,” she laughed. “Plus, little dogs can have an attitude.”

Camacho also said she hopes to include a keycard entry system to ensure that residents have their pooches vaccinated and registered before being able to enter the park.

“We’re all on the honor system over [at the current park] — but there’s no way to account for it,” she said. “This would be accountability.”

Residents can participate in the DDAWG raffle and other fundraisers at www.dartmouthdogpark.org.