Owego Dog Owners Group receives Mildred Faulkner Truman Foundation grant

The Owego Dog Owners Group (ODOG) received a grant from the Mildred Faulkner Truman Foundation (MFTF) to help volunteers keep walking paths at the Rebecca Weitsman Memorial Dog Park, located at Hickories Park in Owego, safe for visitors. 

ODOG volunteers, proud stewards of the three-acre off-leash Dog Park, are responsible for maintenance and upkeep of the grounds. With more than 2,000 feet of walking paths, the Dog Park is popular gathering spot.

The walkways take a beating each spring when the Susquehanna overflows into Hickories Park. Flash flooding this past July washed out several sections of the walkways. Funds from MFTF will be used to purchase a compactor and crusher fine gravel so that ODOG volunteers can quickly make repairs.

“We have hundreds of visitors to the Dog Park each week. Many are seniors looking for a safe place to socialize and exercise with their pets. Some people come without dogs just to walk in a pleasant environment. Often visitors have some challenges that make walking difficult so it is important to ODOG that we maintain our walking trails in support of our community,” said Nancy Eckstrom, ODOG volunteer.

The Owego Dog Owners Group (ODOG) is a group of volunteers dedicated to developing dog friendly communities within Tioga County, N.Y. They worked closely with the Town of Owego to design a municipally owned off leash area within Hickories Park. The construction of this dog park was funded by Adam Weitsman, and as a memorial to his sister, Rebecca. ODOG partners with like-minded agencies to support activities to promote responsible pet ownership and works with dog friendly businesses to encourage visitors to enjoy and linger in our beautiful communities. 

ODOG is a New York State registered not-for-profit corporation, and an IRS section 501(c)(3) charitable organization eligible to receive tax-exempt contributions in accordance with section 170 of the Internal Revenue Service Code.

The Mildred Faulkner Truman Foundation’s mission is to practice responsible stewardship of the charitable trust of its benefactress, Mildred Faulkner Truman, by providing worthwhile grants to organizations that enhance and benefit the residents of Tioga County, N.Y.  The Foundation wishes to accomplish this mission by encouraging grant requests for critical needs, capital projects, and seed money for new and special projects or programs. It is the Foundation’s intent that through attention to such requests, the grants awarded will address the community’s challenges and make a significant difference.

For more information about ODOG, contact Nancy Eckstrom by calling (607) 372-1893. You can also email to info@owegodogs.org or visit www.owegodogs.org.