Doing their duty for Clark County’s dog parks

Call it a comeback story for DOGPAW, the nonprofit maintaining dog parks in and around Clark County.

Months ago, the organization seemed poised to dissolve following the resignation of president Mark Watson, throwing the future of these sprawling parks into doubt. But new leadership and dedicated volunteers have reinvigorated DOGPAW, which stands for Dog Owners Group for Park Access in Washington. A crowd of about 15 spent their Saturday morning cleaning Ike Memorial Park, pulling thistles, cutting back out-of-control shrubbery and weed-whacking — and yes, picking up dog poop, but you should be doing that yourself when you take your dog to the park.

Eileen Cervantes took over the organization in January after hearing it was at risk of disappearing. Cervantes brings Flynn, her Kooikerhondje, to Ike Memorial Park every morning. They need to get in their 10,000 steps before 9 a.m., she said.

“It is so good for (the dogs’) health and for the health of the humans who are with them,” Cervantes said.

DOGPAW provides most of the maintenance for the parks, an expensive undertaking. Historically, it’s cost the nonprofit, which once contracted out for many of its services, as much as $100,000 every year.

But Cervantes said their goal has been to get back to basics by focusing on recruiting volunteers, holding public meetings and promoting regular cleanups at each of Clark County’s four dog parks. Clark County also stepped in, and is doing maintenance at Dakota, Kane and Lucky Memorial Parks.

She estimates that the organization has cut its expenses by about half.

“We cut all the fat,” said Cervantes.

Larry Johnson is a volunteer who brings his Great Pyrenees, Angie, to the park almost every day. Angie, a fluffy white-cloud beast of a dog, is independent and likes to wander off on her own, leaving Larry to spend a few minutes each morning pulling weeds and doing other cleanup around the park.

“He’s the hardest worker,” Cervantes said.

Saturday’s work was more intense, though. The 70-year-old Portland man traipsed around the park with a shovel to dig up weeds. Johnson started volunteering after news came that the organization was in trouble.

“Our dogs needed a place to go,” said Johnson. “There’s actual citizen support for dog parks.”

It’s the same story for John and Jane Vanvig, who Johnson joined along a thistle-ridden fence line. Their rescue mutt, Gertie, loves the park, so when it was at risk, they decided to step up.

“This is a place we come every morning,” said Jane Vanvig. “We love it. We want to keep it open.”

How to get involved

DOGPAW will host a pulic meeting at 6 p.m. June 18 at the Vancouver Community Library at 901 C St., Vancouver. For more information on how to volunteer, visit www.dogpawoffleashparks.org.