Scouts lend a hand at Cameron dog park

EDDOG close to reaching funding goal

With a little more help needed, soon Fido and Fifi will sniff and run free in the half-acre, off-leash dog park currently under construction at Hacienda Park in Cameron Park.

“EDDOG is approximately $5,000 away from the $45,000 needed to build out Hacienda Park,” said El Dorado Dog Owners Guild President Holly Morrison. “We just need the final dollars to pay for the fencing plus labor for installation.”

The land has been set aside for the off-leash dog park since 2008. Last year three aspiring Eagle Scouts dedicated their time and efforts to making EDDOG’s dream a reality.

At a recent Cameron Park Community Services District Board of Directors meeting Kevin Becker, 17; Austin Mangelson, 16; and Jeremy Cummins, 17, received praise and recognition for their back-breaking efforts.

Becker ground stumps, created a 1,500-foot trench for PVC pipe and electrical lines (which he layed), rototilled, spread 200 pounds of grass seed and poured cement pads for stone picnic benches at Hacienda Park. His parents Tina and Terry Becker helped with the project. The Ponderosa High School junior with Golden Empire Troop 958 logged more than 140 hours; his volunteers dedicated more than 350 hours.

“I learned that I don’t overly care for trenching or grinding stumps,” Becker said, adding that as a dog lover he was happy to help build the dog park.

Mangelson chipped in by creating the fundraising goal dog-bone shaped sign in front of the park that greets passersby and a dog park rules sign.

The Scout from Troop 657 also planted and provided irrigation for 18 new trees, which are part of the El Dorado County oak mitigation program and will replace the canopy from the 13 dead and dying oak trees removed at the beginning of the park construction, according to information from EDDOG.

The Ponderosa High School junior dedicated more than 200 hours to his project.

Ponderosa High School senior Cummins also pitched in. The Scout with Golden Empire Troop 958 designed and built a new construction shelter for the upgraded irrigation system, spread yards of decomposed granite and then compacted the granite. Cummins and his volunteers spent 250 hours at the park.

“When I finished the project I felt pretty good,” Cummins said. “I put in a lot of hours and hard work. I am happy that I was able to help out the community and help build this park that will be used by many.”

The cost of the off-leash dog park will total about $45,000 when completed. EDDOG received $5,000 from the CPCSD and has done several fundraisers over the years, including the very popular Pooch Plunge at Cameron Park Lake. A second off-leash dog park is planned in El Dorado Hills.