If I took one thing away from Friday’s Tour de Terrace parade is was that Mountlake Terrace residents want access to water at the dog park. Why did I come away with the message? Well, most of the city council members and the mayor were in the parade. Every time one of them came through (in a classic car generally) a large group of people would shout “water at the dog park!”

I got a hold of Don Sarcletti, the Recreation and Parks Director as well as Jim Ito, the president of MLT D.O.G. for an update on where the City/MLT DOG are in the process of getting water service installed.

Here’s where we are at the moment:

1. MLT DOG is interested in raising money to pay for water service to the Off Leash Dog Park.

2. MLT DOG and the City will be making a presentation & report (Off Leash Dog Park 6 month operating report) to the Recreation and Parks Advisory Commission on August 11th and to the City Council at their September 3rd Work Session. Also included on Sept. 3rd will be a Project Report regarding water service to the park. The report will include basic information – Project description and scope of work; Project costs including labor, materials, equipment and permits; Project budget and estimated time line; Letter from MLTDOG regarding funding contribution and/or volunteer service to be provided.

3. The estimated cost for providing water service (water meter & installation) to the Off Leash Dog Park is approximately $4,000. The City will install the water meter. MLT DOG has indicated they would also help with some of the labor within the park – trenching etc. Who pays for the water bill has yet to be determined.

4. The process for moving forward:

The Recreation and Parks Advisory Commission will review the Project Report and make a recommendation at their August 11th meeting.

The City Council will review the Project Report on Sept. 3rd – Work Session

The City Council will consider MLTDOG’s request on Sept. 7th – Regular Meeting.

What can you do to help?

You can donate to MLT DOG who is currently fundraising to pay for the water meter. Head over to their web site and give a few bucks to help out.

If you are one of the many Mountlake Terrace residents who use the dog park and would like to see water available sooner than later, let your city councilmembers know. You can also email city hall at cityhall@ci.mlt.wa.us.

We will keep you updated on the progress and hopefully soon we won’t have to lug jugs of water to the dog park any more.

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