Eureka Dog Park members were unable to let their dogs roam free in the designated area of Berry Park over the Memorial Day weekend.
The dog park had to be closed after the push bar of the entrance gate was vandalized during the afternoon or early evening of May 24, Ward 1 Alderman Wes Sir said.
“I don’t know how they did it, but they destroyed the push bar,” said Sir, who headed up the citizens group that helped raise funds to install the park at 401 Forby Road.
“I don’t know if they jumped on it, pounded on it, took a pry bar to it, but they really tore it up pretty good.”
On Tuesday, Eureka Parks and Recreation director Missy Myers said the gate was expected to be repaired on Wednesday, and the dog park was expected to be reopened that day. Myers said she did not know how much repairing the gate would cost.
“Due to the fact that we have to protect the health and welfare of the dogs who are members, we had to lock it down,” Sir said. “We don’t want anyone going in there with a dog who hasn’t had all of its vaccinations and stuff like that. For the safety of all member dogs, we had to close it, unfortunately.”
The dog park, which had its grand opening on May 6, requires owners to present up-to-date vaccination papers to register their dogs. There is an annual cost of $40 for Eureka residents and $55 for non-residents to register up to three dogs.
The park was funded by a combination of city funds and private donations.
The city budgeted $30,000 to install the fence around the park and bring a water line to the area.
Sir said Myers contacted Eureka Police Chief Michael Wiegand about the incident, and it is under investigation.
“We don’t have any information on it,” Sir said. “We are offering a free membership to the dog park for anyone with information that leads us to the person or people who vandalized it.”
Sir said Myers and Wiegand were also expected to meet Tuesday to discuss security measures to prevent future incidents, such as installing security cameras at the dog park.
“Right now, there is nothing really close by that is high enough (near the dog park, which is positioned inside a 1/3-mile loop trail surrounding Berry Park) to keep a camera from being vandalized, too,” Sir said. “We are going to have to look at the options. Unfortunately, it is more expense. But if that is what we have to do to protect the dog park, that is what we are going to have to do.”