COQUILLE — If residents Sam and Janet Nishi and City Councilor Linda Short get their way, a part of the city near Fifth Street will go to the dogs.

Short announced the proposal to a build a fenced dog park, along with a request that the city donate the land for the park, at Monday’s City Council meeting. The approximately 50-foot by 200-foot parcel is adjacent to an existing park on Fifth Street and is on land owned by the city.

The Nishis said developing a dog park would give city residents who have dogs a great place to take their pets.

“We thought it might be something the people of Coquille might enjoy,” Janet Nishi said, adding dogs would have fun, too.

“Right now people are using the open lot,” Sam said, referring to the former Georgia-Pacific mill site.

Short and the Nishis have been working on the park for about a month, Short said. The idea was suggested to her about a year ago, but she hadn’t given it serious consideration until recently. She enlisted the Nishis, who own Coquille Cyclery and Garden, a bike, garden and pet food store in Coquille, to start a committee to plan the park. Janet said the committee has four members and is looking for more. Eventually, volunteers will be needed to help develop the park.

Sam and Janet have two other interested members in their family — Kodi and Fred, their dogs. Both shelter pups, they accompany Mom and Dad everywhere.

At work with Sam and Janet on Wednesday, Kodi, a fluffy yellow golden retriever mix; and Fred, a German Shorthaired Pointer with a graying muzzle, occupied ever-shifting spaces on the floor of the Nishi’s store.

 Kodi, carefully and quietly, watched people walk by the store. Sometimes he followed them outside, where Fred likes to “talk” to passersby. Both were at attention when they saw another dog across the street, but were gently reminded by Janet or Sam not to get too close to the road.

Janet said giving dogs a safe place to play and interact is one of the reasons she supports having a dog park in town.

“It gives them a chance to socialize with other dogs, Janet said, adding time spent with other dogs is especially good for those “only dogs” in the community.

“It makes them more whole individuals. Huh, guys?” she asked of Fred and Kodi, who responded by blinking at her a few times from their spots on the store floor.

Short wants to put the project on a quick schedule. On Wednesday, she said she would like to have the borders of the park marked for the rest of the City Council to see before next month’s council meeting. Park plans, for now, include having the city donate the land, clearing it of the brush and putting a fence around it.

“This is nice because the city is going to donate the land,” Janet said, adding not having to raise money to purchase the property will make the process easier.

The first step —the donation of the land — may happen at the next council meeting in April. Council members decided to wait to see plans before agreeing to offer the land. Once that step is out of the way, fundraising for building the fence will begin.

“It’s not going to interfere with anything that is existing,” Short said at Monday’s meeting, adding no occupied houses are located nearby.

The park would give dogs space to run, and an extra bonus — for the dogs anyway — of a small creek to splash in.

Short asked if the city could mow and maintain the park once it is established.

“I’m certainly in favor of doing what we can for the dogs,” Mayor Steve Britton said, and then asked if the city could be held liable if a person or dog were hurt while using the park.

City Manager Terence O’Connor said dog owners would still be responsible for their dogs, and the city would have no more liability than it does now. Short added Wednesday some restrictions may be placed on the park, such as not allowing unneutered male dogs in the park.

“This would provide a safe alternative for people to exercise their dogs,” Short said.