Green River approves dog park

Green River’s dogs will have a place to play after the Green River City Council approved a request to build a dog park last week.

The park was originally proposed by Green River High School’s National Honors Society and will be placed at 80 East Teton Blvd., next to the city’s animal control facility.

“I’m really excited to see a dog park go in because I’ve been to the dog park in Rock Springs and it just looks like a load of fun for the dogs,” Councilwoman Lisa Maes said.

Brad Raney, director of the city’s parks and recreation department, said the maintenance would go to his department, but said the rules and other regulations would likely be set by a volunteer committee, similar to how the city’s horse corrals are managed.

Victoria Hemphill, the NHS advisor at GRHS, said the group originally suggested the park to city representatives three years ago. After several meetings and fundraisers, a public hearing last year and a planning and zoning meeting, she said they were finally able ask the Council to consider building the park.

Roryanne Ratliff, president of NHS during the 2020 school year, said the group wanted to create a lasting gift to the community.

They decided to name the park after Mike Brown, who Ratliff said stepped up and helped the group move the park project forward.

“I’m just really excited about this,” Mayor Pete Rust said. “It’s a big deal for travelers to have a dog park that you can ... stop and let your dog get some exercise.”

The park was approved by a unanimous vote.