Thanks to a donation from committee member Terry Chaffey, the Elliot Lake Dog Park Committee has the cash to move forward on the adoption of a memorial bench.
It will honour the late park supporter Robert MacCollum and his two dogs at the dog park on Pearson Drive.
He died in a motor vehicle crash in Elliot Lake in November of last year.
Committee spokesperson Denise Roberts McRae said, "We would also like to thank those of you that have contributed to the Rob MacCollum fund. This money is also being used for the bench.
"We have confirmed the adoption of the memorial bench with an 8”x3” plaque from the City Of Elliot Lake. The bench is in memory of Rob MacCollum, father to Chase and Buck."
Click here to find more about the city's Adopt a Bench program.
McRae says the committee plans to hold a number of fund raisers to raise money for upgrades and improvements at both of the city's dog parks, on Pearson Drive and Washington Crescent.
"We're thinking about starting a Dog Walk Committee, so people can volunteer to walk your dog for you, and you can donate," she adds.
The committee also wants to build in safety zones at the parks for smaller dog breeds, "We'd like to see a small enclosed area, probably at Washington, only because many people in those apartments have small dogs.
"It's not something that I'd like to see completely segregated but I think you should have a choice," McRae continues.
Committee member Leanne Robert is a sewer and is selling face masks and turning over the proceeds to the committee. McRae says plans have been made to hold a hot dog day. "But unfortunately we can't do that right now. With COVID measures and being such a large senior population that attend the park. We just want to be careful around that."
For information or to contact the Elliot Lake Dog Park Committee search for the Friends of Elliot Lake Dog Park Facebook page.