NORWICH – The City of Norwich joint committees passed a motion to further consider the idea of a dog park at its meeting Tuesday at the request of guest speaker and Norwich High School senior Hannah Baker.

Baker has been actively working to create a dog park in the City of Norwich since September. So far she has raised $3,500 towards the efforts, and on Tuesday, she presented the joint committees with proposed rules for the dog park aligned with the City of Norwich Animal Control Rules, as well as preliminary drawings for the park from engineers at Chobani, and evidence that the park would be safe from flood zones.

"The main reason is because I think dogs need a plot where they can run free and also [a place] to help bring the community together," said Baker, who has proposed the location of Greenway Park by Chenango River off of River Street.

Baker said she raised the funds through Saturdays in the Park with Chobani, two Nina's Give Back Nights, a GoFundMe page, and bottle drives. She said she has spoken with NBT Bank CEO John Watt, Jr., who has pledged to match funds for the dog park.

"What I'm here for today is I want the Greenway Park to be approved as the location of the dog park, as well as the dog park to be approved in Norwich," said Baker. "And also for the City of Norwich to become the recipient of funds from organizations because it's a 501(c)(3) and I'm not one."

Alderman Ward 5 David Zieno introduced himself to Baker as the alderman for the ward where the park is proposed, and said, "I want to thank you for all your work on this. I have talked to a lot of people about this and I didn't hear any concerns about this location from any of the people there, and everybody that I talked to all thought it was a great idea to take on a dog park in Norwich––something that most other cities have and we don't seem to have yet."

Zieno went on to ask City of Norwich Supervisor of Wards 4, 5, and 6 Bob Jeffrey if the location of the dog park would mesh well with the city's museum district, which encompasses that area. Jeffrey said it would be a perfect location because several of the Northeast Classic Car Museum's visitors ask about where they can walk their dogs.

City of Norwich Mayor Christine Carnrike recalled how Baker and her sister, Brenna, were awarded by the mayor for Leading by Example early this year, and said, "I think it's pretty evident that following [the award] she took on yet another project and I can only say I wish we could clone Miss Baker and her sister because this is what this community needs; we need young, energetic, involved, dedicated folks who have an idea and run with it."

Alderman Ward 1 Matthew Caldwell said while he has been following Baker's efforts closely, she has gone above and beyond what he was aware of. "I think if we said no, you wouldn't take that for an answer, so I think it's wise for us to work with you," said Caldwell. "I don't know if we’re prepared tonight to pass a resolution but I would entertain a motion to forward that to joint committee for the January meeting to discuss approval of this location, approval of dog park in general, and to determine whether the City of Norwich can accept funds on your behalf."

Alderman Ward 3 John Deierlein and Alderman Ward 6 Robert Jeffrey joined in commending Baker, calling her work "extremely impressive." A motion to forward Baker's request to the January joint committees meeting was unanimously passed.

From 4 p.m. to 8 on Monday, December 17, Gilligan's in Sherburne will host a Give Back Night benefitting the dog park in Norwich. Those who would like to support the dog park can visit Gilligan's on Dec. 17 and mention the dog park when ordering to support the cause.