Off-leash Dog Park named in honour of MLDHS President

It was a surprise several months in the making.

During their meeting on Wednesday, April 19, the board of the Meadow Lake and District Humane Society (MLDHS) revealed to their president Jillian Doucet that the city’s off-leash dog park will officially bear her name.

It was a plan created by fellow MLDHS board member (and Doucet’s husband) Jeff McCallum and former board member Paula Mercredi, and the Board unanimously agreed with the notion.

“We wanted to do this to honour [Jill], since she was the main force behind the fundraising and completion of the dog park,” said McCallum. “It all started in 2012 when she did the first edition of the Extreme Sleepover fundraiser and raised over $10,000. Since then, thanks to her efforts, the contributions from donors, and cooperation and construction with the City of Meadow Lake, the dog park has opened.”

He added that from the first moment that the dog park was a dream, Doucet has put a considerable amount of time and energy into making it a reality. “It just seemed natural to name it after her,” he said. “Given everything she’s done for animal welfare in the area over the last 11 years, the dog park is a great symbol of that. It’s for all owners in the region, and anyone who visits and uses it can associate their good experience to Jill.”

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After making the decision to honour Doucet, the MLDHS Board contacted the City of Meadow Lake to find out what the proper protocols were to commemorate the public space.

“City council held a closed-door session, so that the secret could be kept for Jill, and they were all in favour,” said McCallum. “After that it was just a matter of getting a sign produced and showing it to them so that they knew what would be on display. It was great that the city supported us the whole way.”

Meadow Lake’s city manager Diana Burton said the city was approached in October 2016 with the proposal to acknowledge Doucet. “Council was very supportive of the idea,” she said. “Without Jill’s enthusiasm for this project it likely wouldn’t have happened as quickly as it did. We are glad the city was able to partner with the Humane Society to recognize such a dedicated community member.”

Doucet said she is grateful for the moving gesture, and appreciative of her fellow board members. “It was really overwhelming,” she said. “I was so surprised and humbled, and it’s a huge honour.”

As for the inspiration behind the creation of the park, Doucet said that MLDHS recognized the need several years ago. “Many communities have an off-leash dog park,” she noted. “It is important to have a safe space for owners to bring their dogs so they can exercise and socialize off-leash. We find it’s something to draw people in; a meeting place. Despite a few issues with misuse, overall it’s been a positive addition to the community. I hope that people enjoy it for many years to come.”

The space was open for public use in the fall of 2015. An official grand opening of the Jillian Doucet Community Dog Park will be scheduled in the coming months.

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca     

On Twitter @meadowlakeNOW