ROCK SPRINGS — Former Rock Springs Rotary Club President Tim Savage was recently recognized for all of his contributions toward completing the Rock Springs Dog Park, also known as the Bitter Creek Bark Park.
During the Rock Springs City Council meeting, Rotary Club members attended the meeting under the guise of giving the Council an update. However, they really wanted to present Savage with a brass plaque and let him know they will be placing it at the dog park in his honor.
Savage, who is a Rock Springs City Councilor, was visibly surprised by the recognition Tuesday evening.
The plaque reads: “Rock Springs Rotary Club under the leadership of President Tim Savage obtained grants fund for the installation of sod at the Rock Springs Dog Park.”
Savage said he obtained a grant back in 2016 to purchase sod for the park.
“I think the grant was only about $2,500,” Savage said. “The park patrons were anxious to start using the new addition, but the gates were kept locked waiting on the sod. So I heard about this grant from the National Rotary group and applied.”
After obtaining the grant, the Rotary Club had to raise funds to pay it back.
According to a previous article in SweetwaterNOW, workers from the Rock Springs Parks and Recreation Department, along with Councilor Savage, laid 6,500 square feet of sod at the small dog park, which was an extension of Bitter Creek Dog Park.
Looking back, Savage said his part of the project was small and he was just excited to help lay the sod. He wanted to make sure to give credit where he thought it was due.
“The real story is the amazing job Mark Lyon and his crew did on the new addition, nicknamed the little dog park,” Savage said.
Mark Lyon is the City of Rock Springs’ park superintendent.
The slabs of rock were made into a bench and the tunnels and curved pathway all work together to make a wonderful experience for both people and dogs, Savage said.
“The parks department always does such a great job keeping it nice. It is the most used park in the city,” Savage said. “Travelers stop by to exercise their dogs and many comment that it is the nicest dog park they have seen.”
The Rotary Club
“The other thing I wish I had said (Tuesday) night was how much Rotary has done for Rock Springs over the years,” Savage said.
Savage said the Rotary Club always recognizes high-achieving students from the high school and provides RN scholarships for LPNs wanting to further their education.
The club also puts flags up all over town on most holidays and maintains the big, giant flag on Dewar.
When the club isn’t busy with those responsibilities, they are ready to cook food for worthy charities and events in town.
“Don (Barbero) and John (Nelson) probably have 70 or 80 years of service between them,” Savage said.
He felt they should be recognized as well for all of their contributions.
Thanks to the combined efforts of Savage, the Rotary Club, and the City of Rock Springs, dogs across the city and those passing through are happier having a designated place for them to burn off some energy.
