THOMASTON — Fundraising needed for construction of a dog park in Thomaston has been given a huge leg up thanks to a donation match offer from Thomaston resident and dog lover Nancie Burton. The Thomaston Dog Park Association has announced that Burton will match up to $5,000 in new contributions to this project.

TDPA was established last year to create a safe, attractive, centrally located park where citizens, dog walkers, and dogs can safely and comfortably socialize, exercise, and enjoy an attractive natural environment away from traffic, noise and congestion.

The dog park will welcome dog owners and their pets from Thomaston plus surrounding communities, including Rockland, Cushing, Friendship, Warren, Owls Head, and South Thomaston.

TDPA President Polly Armstrong said in a news release: “We’re thrilled that Nancie has stepped forward to bring us so much closer to making this dream a reality. Her match means that the next $5,000 we raise will get an instant boost to $10,000! Our ultimate success will result from the support of generous, open hearted people like Nancie who love animals.”

Burton, current guardian of two rescue dogs named Harley and Elliot, cannot remember a time in her life without dogs. She said in the release: “I think supporting this fundraising effort is a wonderful thing to do. A dog park in Thomaston will be a much appreciated recreational facility for local canines and their people. I want to help, and I hope others in the community will join me.”

The Town of Thomaston has allocated almost four acres of land located on the east side of the Sunrise section of the Village Cemetery for development of a fully fenced park facility with double-gated entrances, parking lot, water, trash receptacles, walking paths, benches, and eventually, a covered pavilion for inclement weather.

Any contributions, large or small, to TDPA will be accepted. Donations can be made online at thomastondogpark.org. TDPA has filed paperwork to become a nonprofit 501C3 organization.

For more information, contact the Association by email at thomastondogparkmaine@gmail.com or visit facebook.com/ThomastonDogParkAssociation.