County Commissioner Ken Hagan Visits Lutz Elementary Students Advocating

County Commissioner Ken Hagan Visits Lutz Elementary Students Advocating
for New Dog Park

Lutz, FL August 9, 2006: At 8:30 AM, Wednesday August 9th, Hillsborough County Commissioner, Ken Hagan, visited with 5th grade students at Lutz Elementary, 202 5th Avenue, SE, Lutz, FL. Last spring, the students traveled to the County Center to ask the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to develop a dog park in the Lutz area. Commissioner Hagan promised to do whatever he could to make their request happen. During the recent round of budget talks, Commissioner Hagan sought and received approval from the BOCC for $150,000 for the park’s construction. Wednesday was the first time since the budget discussion and schools reopening that he had the chance to share the good news with the students. He took this opportunity to congratulate them on their civic mindedness, and unveil county staff’s recommendation for the new park’s location. Plans of the park were also unveiled.

Joining Commissioner Hagan to celebrate the students’ accomplishment was their former teacher, Ms. Judy Alvarez, Lutz Elementary Principle, Mary Fernandez, the Executive Director of Suncoast Earth Force, Cindy Benkert, and a couple of the park’s future patrons, MacKenzie, an 8 yr old sheltie and Smooch, a 3 yr old border collie.

The dog park was a project that the students embraced as part of their involvement in the Earth Force program. Earth Force’s mission is to engage young people to take action for the improvement of their community. Before approaching County government, students surveyed their neighborhoods to assess community support. When asked about the Lutz students and their request, Commissioner Hagan replied, “These children are a credit to our community. They researched the issue first and then made a persuasive request at a Board meeting, a place that can be very intimating even to many adults. They should be very proud of their role in the creation of this park. I know I am very proud of them.”

They announced the dog park would be at Carolyn Meeker Park which is across the street from the school. The fifth graders have moved on to 6th grade but plan to be involved in the creation of the dog park. The fifth graders this year hope to continue this as a legacy project.

Students' Class Project To Become Dog Park.