Eagle Scout project will bring smiles to canine faces

Bryce Mosley said his late dog Charlie was a definite influence on his Eagle Scout service project.

It’s a choice that Scottie Rushing, Dan Bennett and Barry Sleight appreciate, praising the young man’s initiative last week and smiling as they watch their four-legged boys race and chase across their favorite Lawton park.

Eagle Scout is the highest honor in Boy Scouts, and Mosley is preparing to launch the service project he must have completed by his 18th birthday, or Oct. 19. That project is renovation of the Vito Baxter Puppy Promenade, an enclosed area on the east side of McMahon Park built for the canine members of the Lawton-Fort Sill community. The city park is nearing its 14th birthday and needs some TLC, something Mosley will provide through a service project that is his final step in achieving Eagle Scout.

The City Council signed off on the idea last week — two council members even told Mosley to contact them about making donations — and will formally approve the documentation that will allow Mosley to make changes to city property at its March 26 meeting.

“We’ll start March 29,” he said.

Mosley already has done his homework and knows what needs to be done, pointing to debris that needs to be cleaned up and fencing that needs repairs. He also plans something that delighted the pet owners talking to Mosley last week: adding dirt to some of the low areas where water collects after rain. Dog owners said their pets don’t mind and several even have footage of their dogs romping in the deep water. Dog owners do mind; they have to put their wet, muddy buddies back into their cars to get them home.

Mosley said he also wants to change the entrance point into the park, providing direct access to the small dog area. While smaller dogs have their own fenced-off area, they must access it by passing through the large dog area, something Mosley said should be changed. His plan: a covered area and direct access to small dog area from the main entrance.

It’s all work designed to make visiting the park a better experience.

“I want to repair the dog park so owners can enjoy it more with their dogs,” Mosley said.

He has crafted a $20,000 project, which includes $15,500 in materials. Fundraising has begun and Mosley said if he raises more than he needs for this project, he will identify other upgrades.

While Mosley will coordinate an all-volunteer force, skilled professionals will be needed for work such as fencing and pouring concrete. He expects a multi-phase project lasting several months and much of the work will be done without bothering the dogs who love their park time. The park will remain open except when the fencing and concrete work is being done, he said.

While the project must be done by Oct. 19, the park will be ready well before then.

“We want to be done by May,” he said.

Mosley said the project was definitely influenced by his Charlie, a doberman who died in November 2021. Charlie came into the family when Mosley’s mom and dad married, but quickly developed a close relationship with Mosley.

“He was my dog for 12 or 13 years,” he said, of a relationship that endured until Charlie’s death.

While Charlie and Mosley never used the dog park, Mosley said he wants to make certain that those who do, as well as new visitors, have continued access to a favored play area. What he needs from the community is donations and publicity.

“Spread the word,” he said.

Mosley is partnering with the Humane Society of Lawton-Comanche County, with that entity holding the funds he will raise for the project. Interest is spreading. Mosley already has talked to Lee Baxter, a driving force in the fundraising efforts for the original park (it is named after Baxter’s dog, Vito). He also plans to approach the McMahon Foundation, as well as businesses and everyday Lawtonians.

“It’s a good place to play,” Mosley said, of the importance of a park where dogs can get off their leashes to run and play while learning to socialize. “They learn to come together.”