LIBERTY LAKE, Wash — Patricia Simonet Laughing Dog Park will stay open after Spokane County commissioners reversed closure plans following community outcry.
The park was slated for closure to save $32,000 annually as part of addressing the county’s $20 million budget deficit. However, commissioners changed course after dog owners contacted them directly.
“We made decisions and sometimes we don’t understand all of the unintended consequences of those decisions. So, when this park was going to be shut down, the citizens were definitely out and let us know,” said Commissioner Mary Brooks.
Christina Smith, a regular park user, expressed relief. “There’s a lot of people in this local area that use this park, and it would just be a bummer because it’s awesome. There’s so much ground here and that’s what I love about it,” she said.
The park will remain open for at least one year while county officials work with the Washington State Department of Transportation to develop a permanent funding solution.
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