Roseburg's Happy Tails Dog Park to Get New Fencing, Reopen

ROSEBURG, Ore. – Roseburg’s flood-damaged dog park will reopen this summer after fencing is replaced. A contractor is scheduled to start work in about two weeks to replace 730 feet of fencing that was mangled at Happy Tails Dog Park, a one-acre space next to Templin Beach Park, 100 SE Templin St. The dog park was temporarily closed after suffering severe damage from flooding by the South Umpqua River during record rainfall on Sunday, March 16. The fencing around the park was completely destroyed and the flood left water and debris in the park. “That park got hit pretty hard,” said Roseburg Public Works Director Ryan Herinckx, noting the storm hit just as Parks staff needed to get baseball and softball fields ready for spring games. Since the storm, Public Works and Parks crews have been working throughout the community to first assess damage, then determine priorities and either perform repairs or hire contractors. Roseburg Public Works recovery priorities began with ensuring the integrity and safety of roads, intersections and culverts; maintaining or repairing damaged sections of the public storm drainage system; and removing debris and sand left in several parks and across the multiuse Umpqua River Trail. Contractors, including fence installation companies, have been in high demand following the flooding as government agencies, businesses and local residents work to recover from the storms. At the dog park, staff have removed debris, trimmed trees and cut down two trees whose root structures were undermined by the flood. Parks staff have been making landscape improvements and have cleaned up the park entryway, whose sign and gate posts survived the flood. Staff also set a table and two benches upright and put them back into place. “We’ve been over there doing cleanup before the fence goes in,” said Parks Superintendent Shanna Epperson. A local company used a chainsaw to cut up a large tree that fell across the multiuse trail. Heartwood ReSources, a building materials salvage company opened by nonprofit NeighborWorks Umpqua, is picking up the wood rounds produced from the tree. A Parks crew will continue to clean Templin Beach Park’s parking lot next week before new fencing is installed. The work should start by Monday, July 21, and be finished by Thursday, July 31. The dog park would open immediately after. Park repairs, including new fencing installation, will cost $15,000. For more information, contact Roseburg Parks and Recreation at 541-492-6899 or parks@roseburgor.gov. Via City of Roseburg