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NEW ULM – Pups and their families gathered for an afternoon of play during Park and Recreation's first Barkin' in the Park event Saturday afternoon with help from Runnings and Pup's Playland.
We're doing this to both get people to come check out the dog park and to see what people want from the dog park in the future," Park and Recreation Program Supervisor Ben Doeden said. "Just offering free events like this and getting some businesses involved is an opportunity to make people know what's available for city parks and take advantage of it.”
Doeden said that the dog park seemed like a good place to host an event because it is a park unit that has been underutilized.
The event drew a nice crowd, with dogs participating in the range of activities as well as utilizing the open space for group play.
Pup's Playland offered educational training through fall-themed activities such as bobbing for apples and standing on pumpkins.
"We are just here to be with the community and see how we can be an outreach for people and their dogs," Pup's Playland trainer Sarah Schuelke said.
Pup's Playland is a dog boarding and daycare place that also does training.
Mika Enebolg and her children, who found out about the event through Facebook, brought their dog Bella to attempt the pumpkin stand. The family enjoyed that the event was family friendly, and would love to attend similar events in the future.
Pups were also able to show off their creative side with a painting activity. Paint was set on a canvas and placed into a plastic bag that was then covered with cheese or peanut butter. When dogs licked the snacks, paint spread in the bag creating a work of art worthy of any fridge or wall.
Melodee Beck's dogs Leo and Simon enjoyed the painting activity. Beck said that she had been to the dog park in the past but it had been a while.
"It was nice to come back and check it out, I think it was a wonderful idea," Beck said.
A photo contest for prizes was sponsored by Runnings. Photos are due Monday at 8 a.m. and will be on Facebook for people to vote on.
After a long day of play, fashion shows, and artistic expression, dogs went to the pup cup creation station for refreshments.