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StarTribune - Print Page <br />money in the budget for one. <br />http://www.startribune.com/printaTticle/?id=l 3435 8213 <br />That didn't deter the Stillwater volunteers, who have raised about a quarter of the $25,000 they hope to mise this year and are <br />recruiting more volunteers. <br />Menikheim supports their efforts, he said, because the volunteers embody the "we, the people" approach needed to achieve <br />community goals in this era. <br />" I can't do anything at the national level, but I can affect my circle of Stillwater, and Allison can affect her circle of influence," he <br />said. "It's going to take thousands and millions of people doing just that in order to tum our country around because our <br />government is unable to do that right now." <br />Residents were persistent <br />Cottage Grove residents Dick Swanson and Ellen Edwards started pushing for an off -leash park in 2005. In spring 2010, the <br />landowners, the Glendenning family, agreed to allow the 14 acres to be used as a dog park and got a city tax break in return. <br />The city also provides plowing, a portable toilet and insurance. Volunteers raised $14,000 for fencing and do most <br />maintenance, including recently spreading around donated wood chips. <br />The Cottage Grove and Stillwater volunteers have thrown fundraisers, ranging from an Elvis impersonator at the VFW Red Barn <br />in Cottage Grove to a sushi dining party, with dogs allowed, at a downtown Stillwater eatery. <br />Cottage Grove dog owner Karen Geraghty said she appreciates that WAG Farms Dog Park is only 3 miles from her house. She <br />and her hound -lab mix, Charlie, visited the park recently, where he strained excitedly to get to the leash -free zone and nose up <br />to pals. <br />Rules are posted by the volunteers, who often stroll about, offering advice on training and other topics to owners. <br />"There's always water for dogs," Garaghty said, looking around appreciatively. "The volunteers are great" <br />For dogs and their people <br />There's definitely a need for a dog park, she said, adding she used to drive to Woodbury and St. Paul dogs parks. <br />When she and others first visited the WAG Farms, many owners hesitated to take off the leash. But doing so brought a <br />wonderful social transformation in Charlie and others, Garaghty said. <br />"Someone once told me that dog parks are magical places for dogs," she said. <br />And they're notjust for dogs. Garaghty said she's become acquainted with great people as their dogs run. <br />Joy Powell • 651-925-5038 <br />©2011 Star Tribune <br />2 of 2 2/11/2013 10:29 AM <br />