MARYSVILLE — The Marysville Dog Owners Group (M-DOG) invites the public to join them for a work party to help build the community’s first-ever off-leash park, Strawberry Fields for Rover. The work party will be Saturday, Sept. 20 and Sunday, Sept. 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

“This is the big day that Marysville-area dog owners have waited for, when we pull together and build the off-leash park,” says Leslie Buell, M-DOG President. “We need you, a few hours of your energy, work gloves, tools and any equipment you have available to install fencing and other tasks necessary to convert the three-acre parcel for off-leash use at Strawberry Fields Athletic Complex.”

The off-leash park is located in the southeast corner of the Strawberry Fields complex at 6100 152nd St. NE.

Volunteers must be 16 or older, and a short volunteer form will need to be completed at the site by participants.

M-DOG will provide stewardship for the park when it opens, including picking up garbage, cleaning up dog waste left by negligent owners, trimming over-growth, and maintaining trails.

The group also plans to install and maintain a kiosk at the off-leash park entrance to provide park rules and tips, and encourage pet owners to be respectful of a pastoral park environment that is flanked by sensitive areas and fish habitat.

“We hope to see you at the work party for a fun and rewarding day that your dog will thank you for,” Buell said. “Any amount of time you can give over the two days will be much appreciated.”

For more information, call Buell at M-DOG at 360-651-0633 or e-mail labuell@verizon.net or dgbuell@verizon.net. You can also visit the Web site at http://m-dog.org for information about work parties, meetings, directions to the park, joining M-DOG and other features.