By VINCE REMBULAT
209 staff reporter

Ripon will someday have its own dog park.

How soon will depend on a few factors including donations.

In February, the Ripon City Council approved the pact between the Friends of the Ripon Dog Park and the City of Ripon.

"The City will donate the 1.23 acres on Doak Boulevard, east of the animal shelter," said City Administrator Kevin Werner back then. "Friends is in charge of the planning, design, construction and the operation and maintenance of the dog park."

As for timelines, Councilman Mike Restuccia indicated that's yet to be determined.

"My understanding is that projects like this, relying on people donating, takes longer," he said.

Restuccia and his colleague Mark Winchell are up on most the latest happenings, having both attended several of the dog park meetings.

"It's far, far more complicated (on getting a dog park)," Winchell said.

Jaime Fountain is among those spearheading the local dog park efforts. She and other canine owners often go to Modesto and other out-of-town off-leash places in order of their dogs to around in a controlled and safe environment.

They've long waited for a place of their own.