Five Hills Ambassador raising funds for dog park

By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press 

Five Hills Ambassador Emily Kimball might only be 11 years old, but she has a lofty goal: seeing a dog park built in Copperas Cove, specifically at Ogletree Gap Park. 
The 2017 Pre-Teen Miss was crowned the Five Hills Ambassador in March, and has continued her platform of the humane treatment of animals This year, she is working along with her sister, Allyssa Kimball, the reigning Young Miss Five Hills, to raise funds for a dog park. 
On Thursday, Emily addressed the Copperas Cove Rotary Club to make her pitch and share her vision for the one-acre park. She told the club members that the cost estimate is roughly $75,000. 
Back in March 2016, the Copperas Cove city council held a discussion with Parks & Recreation director Joe Brown about the possibility of the city creating a dog park. At that time, the consensus was to put it on a long-range plan for the city. Also at that time, it was discussed that a dog park could happen sooner if the private sector helped fund it. 
Kimball addressed what she sees as a need for the park, based on what she’s heard in the community during her previous reign as Pre-Teen Miss Five Hills and promoting her platform of the humane treatment of animals. 
“Over the past year, a lot of people have expressed a want and need for a dog park, a place to bring their dogs to spend some time and have fun,” Kimball told the club. “My sister and I did our research and met with the parks and recreation director to find out how we can build a dog park in Copperas Cove.” 
Located on one acre at Ogletree Gap, the park will include two sections, one for larger dogs and one for smaller dogs, with a variety of equipment to include an adjustable jump bar, flexible lead poles, hound hurdles, an agility walk and more. 
“We plan on using crushed granite or a similar substance for the surfacing and using six-feet chain link fencing to separate and enclose the parks,” Kimball said. 
The plan also includes benches, shade covering, waste receptacles, and a water fountain. 
Kimball said she is looking for sponsors to offset the cost of building the park and buying the equipment. 
“We have identified 10 sponsorship opportunities, which give the donors naming rights to the park or equipment, verbal and written recognition, and reserved seating at the grand opening, depending on the level of sponsorship.”
Sponsorships range from the “Top Dog of the Park” at $50,000, with exclusive naming rights of the park, good for 10 years, to a “One Paw Shake Donor” for a donation of $100 or less.     
Kimball said she is also in the process of applying for grants to help fund the park.
“We are excited to get this started and I’m positive the dog park will be a great and useful addition to Copperas Cove.” 
Kimball will be busy with fundraising efforts of her own, with the 4th annual Howl-O-Ween Puppy Pawlooza, with all financial support donated at the October event being earmarked for the dog park, along with proceeds from this December’s Krist Kindl Pageant.