In 2017, the Oneida Improvement Committee collaborated with a local 4-H club who came up with the idea to improve canine socialization within the city of Oneida, NY by creating an Oneida Dog Park — a place where dogs of all shapes and sizes could come together to play. To raise awareness for the need of a dog park and to raise funds for this effort, the 4-H club partnered with the Oneida Parks & Rec Department and the OIC to create CNY Puppy Paddle. CNY Puppy Paddle is an annual event where dogs can enter the Chapman Pool, enjoy the fenced in area, swim, and play on the last day of the season before the pool closes. The 4-H club ran Puppy Paddle until 2019, when the OIC took over sponsoring and running the event.

Also in 2019, the OIC created the Dog Park Committee to lead the effort to make the Oneida Dog Park a reality.

The OIC continues to partner with the Oneida Parks & Recreation department. The agreed upon goal for this project is $20,000. This budget was created in 2021 by the OIC Dog Park Committee.

We are currently seeking donors and grant opportunities to fund this project. If you are interested in donating, please head to our Donations page.