NEW Rescue Village Dog Walking Trails
Rescue Village is on 14 acres of land, which provides enough space for the shelter, barn and pasture, and parking. The property also features a wooded area with trails that staff or volunteers use to take the shelter dogs on walks. Thanks to the generosity of Karen and Richard Spector, the dog-walking trails got a much-needed upgrade and expansion in 2024!
Rescue Village’s mission has been important to the Spectors for a long time, and after funding The Cartoons of Rescue Village book, published in 2023, they wanted to once again make a contribution that would have a significant and long-term impact on the humane society.
Historically, the primitive dog-walking trails at Rescue Village have been maintained by volunteer service groups who would spread mulch and gravel on the trails each spring. Every year, the trails would get washed away by water running through the woods. It became nearly impossible to maintain the trails, and dogs and dog walkers would regularly return to the shelter muddy and wet. When the Spectors heard Executive Director Ken Clarke’s idea to upgrade and expand the dog-walking trails to encourage longer trail walks for the dogs, they thought it was a great idea.
The dog-walking trails are an important part of enrichment for shelter dogs, especially the long-stay dogs. The trails provide much-needed stimulation, a place for them to get exercise, and some peace and quiet away from the stressful and noisy shelter environment.
The project began in the fall of 2023 with the felling of many dead ash trees that loomed dangerously over the existing trails. In 2024, Novelty, Ohio-based McHenry Landscaping submitted the winning bid for the project. Work began in July to grade and expand the trail system, to feature short, medium, and long trail loops totaling nearly 1 mile of paths, with signage that lets walkers know how far they walk. Two well-worn wooden bridges were replaced with earthen bridges. Landscaping cloth was installed, and several tons of limestone was spread, creating a footpath that is easy to maintain and will naturally harden over time. Drainage was installed so that water would no longer wash away the trails, and McHenry cleared away encroaching vegetation. McHenry remains committed to helping adjust the trail’s drainage system, ensuring it is ready for use in all weather except maybe heavy snow.
The new, park-like trails were unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 2, 2024, as part of Rescue Village’s annual Donor Appreciation Event, where the Spectors were honored for their transformative donation. Dogs and dog walkers alike are now enjoying wide, scenic, and mud-free trails devoted solely to the shelter dogs of Rescue Village. The longer walks help reduce their stress while they wait for their forever home.
