STOCKTON SPRINGS, Maine (WABI) – Sandy Point Beach has debuted a new feature for four-legged visitors, thanks to Stockton Springs’ Public Works Director George Russell.
“I’ve been working with the town of Stockton Springs for 29 years and this is a big part of our job, the beaches,” Russell explains. “We have a woman in town, Stockton, that plays tennis. We had an overabundance of tennis balls and I was trying to figure out what to do with them. ”
Thus, the Dog Library was born!
When Russell took the idea to the Public Works team, Assistant Road Foreman Bruce Gray says it was an immediate yes: “He goes away a lot, he goes camping and stuff and he brought this idea back with him and he threw it out. This is all George. It’s just a great idea. It blew right up on Facebook.”
While folks have been showing the library love on social media, the reviews are in from the pawed patrons, too!
“Teddy loves it! He chases the ball,” Gray says about his pup.
Cindy Bohlen moved to Stockton Springs about a year ago, who says she was quick to come visit after learning about the library.
“The tennis ball is Izzy’s favorite toy in the world, hands down,” comments Bohlen. “So, she’s in heaven!”
The library provides a lot more than just free entertainment for pets. It also presents a chance to create community connections for local dog owners.
“It’s a great way to meet people and what better way than to get dogs together? Seriously,” Bohlen describes. “I’ve met some of the nicest people walking their dogs and on trails and whatnot. And now that we’ve got this! I told [Izzy] she was going to meet friends and now she wants to come back already!”
As Director of Public Works, Russell says he always try to go “above and beyond” for the community he serves.
Ultimately, his hope for the Dog Library is to have “a lot of happy dog owners and happy dogs” at Sandy Point Beach!
With Public Works supplying sticks and tennis balls regularly, they say no returns are needed.
Sandy Point Beach is open to the public from sunrise to sunset.
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