Ruff Break: Kent County Animal Shelter’s New Fence Damaged By Fallen Trees

Just a week and a half after its grand opening, the new dog park at the Kent County Animal Shelter in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been temporarily closed due to storm damage.

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On Tuesday, strong winds and storms knocked down two large trees, damaging the fencing around the park.

The 44,000-square-foot outdoor expansion had been a project in the works for a couple of years.

Funded by a $90,000 donation from the Marie B. Schipper Trust in 2023, the park features enrichment activities for shelter dogs, including a raised platform, tire obstacle course, and tree stumps.

Angela Hollinshead, the Kent County Animal Shelter director, expressed disappointment about the closure but emphasized that no dogs or staff were harmed as everyone was safely indoors during the storm.

Read More: Your Dogs Are Welcome On These West Michigan Restaurant Patios

The shelter is now working with the county's facilities team to remove the fallen trees and repair the damaged fencing.

When the park will reopen is still uncertain, but the staff are hopeful it will happen soon.

Interestingly, one of the fallen trees may be repurposed as a new feature within the park for dogs to climb on and explore.

I love that idea and I hope the repairs are complete soon so those sweet doggies can run and enjoy themselves outside.

If you're looking for some great beaches that are dog-friendly you should check these places out.