Eagle Scout Candidate Lucas West stands with Open Space Specialist Jackie Sanderson next to the new dog agility obstacles at the Glendale Farm Open Space Dog Park.

Article and photos by Elizabeth Wood West

It is hard to tell who is having the most fun with the new dog agility obstacles – dogs or their owners. The obstacles are an Eagle Scout project that was completed in September by Lucas West, Eagle Scout candidate with Boy Scout Troop 316 of Castle Pines North. West is 14 and a freshman at Rock Canyon High School.
 
The project was suggested by and coordinated with Jackie Sanderson, Douglas County Open Space Specialist.  West designed, built, and installed six dog agility obstacles at the Glendale Farm Open Space Off-Leash Dog Park.  The park is located on the east side of I-25, north of Castle Pines Parkway, Exit 188, off of the new Ridgegate Road. 
 
After researching different kinds of dog agility obstacles, West designed his own versions that would appeal to dogs of all sizes and breeds.  The six obstacles include a small jump, medium jump, and high jump, a balance beam, a tunnel, and a ramp.  He created detailed construction drawings, models, and how-to-build instructions.  He researched and priced all supplies, solicited local vendors for donations, drafted volunteer work crews, and provided close supervision and safety instruction during construction and installation. 
 
West chose round pressure-treated fence posts to construct all the obstacles. These posts were selected because they would hold up in the elements, compliment the park’s overall rustic character, and are used elsewhere in the park.  The obstacles were installed in a crescent-shaped circuit so that dogs and their owners can move from one obstacle to the next.  After the obstacles were installed, they were sanded and sealed with a non-toxic solid stain.  These steps insured that the surfaces would be smooth for dog paws and that the obstacles would be long-lasting outdoors.  Fine crushed granite gravel was raked into place to define the circuit and to keep the area from becoming muddy. 
 
Supplies were purchased with money West earned from Scout volunteer opportunities and generous donations from Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Murdoch’s.  West’s grandparents, Byron and Marsielle Wood, purchased all the pizza and drinks for the volunteers and a commemorative plaque.  Papa John’s Pizza gave discounts on the pizza orders. Scouts and parents from Troop 316 helped build and install the obstacles.
 
Many dogs and their owners stopped by and tried out the obstacles during the installation and final finishing. Sanderson said “This is Douglas County’s most popular open space park.” West replied, “I’m glad that I could create something that so many people can use and enjoy.”