Yuma, Arizona: Outdoor Movie Money Going to the Dogs' Park

Yuma, Arizona Outdoor MovieMan's best friend is about to get a night out on the town thanks the city of Yuma Parks and Recreation Department. Dogs and their families can enjoy an entertaining evening together at a dog park fundraiser sponsored by Parks and Recreation at Desert Sun Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27. An animation/live feature will be screened free of charge, but people are asked to make donations for the new park, said Roberta Ukura, Parks and Recreation assistant director. "We request the dogs are family-friendly and on a leash because we have kids and we want to play it safe," Ukura said. Along with "scooby snacks," traditional movie fare will be on sale such as popcorn, soda and water. Attendees may bring their own non-alcohol beverages if they wish. People are asked to bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on as the stadium's stands are still undergoing reconstruction, and seating is available only on the grass. The stadium will open at the Ray Kroc gates at 6:30 p.m., with the outdoor movie screening at 7:30. "There won't be any activities at the outdoor movie night for the dogs," Ukura said. "But if you would bring the family dog, that would be great." However, there will be a list of dog park items that people may make pledges for, she said. Anyone interested may adopt one of 20 trees for $125 each, an engraved brick for $100 each, one of four dog waste stations at $500 each, one of six trash receptacles at $500 each, one of three dog play ramps at $1,000 each, one of four entrance gates at $1,000 each or one of three drinking fountains for people and dogs at $2,000 each. Plans are in the works to include recognition of all benefactors at the park, Ukura said. Site for the dog park is a retention basin just off Pacific Avenue between the old Sam's Club and the Wal-Mart store, Ukura said. However, the park will need some restoration to be more dog friendly. Additional lighting, benches, drinking fountains and trees for shade are planned for the dog park. Canine amenities will include ramps and some tires for dogs to jump through. "But it's meant to be open space, not an obstacle course or a dog trial area," Ukura said. It is estimated $70,000 will be needed to convert the proposed space to a dog park, she added. Part of that money will be used for gates in a fence surrounding the park that protects the dogs from traffic. In addition, Parks and Recreation is speaking with Wal-Mart about the possibility of using the basin adjacent to its store to supplement the site. Ukura encourages all Yuma dog lovers to come out for a fun family night at the movies under the stars and help fund the new dog park that "really is quite lovely."

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