Lexi’s Puppy Patch draws crowds

More than two years after the death of Creston teen Lexi Rounds, her family finally got to celebrate the grand opening and ribbon-cutting of Lexi’s Puppy Patch, a dog park created in her honor. Community members and more than 20 dogs were present.

Before the ribbon-cutting, Lexi’s parents Angie Wegscheid and Jeremy Rounds spoke about the family and community efforts that helped bring the dog park to fruition.

“I just am so very grateful for all of this community that has come out for us,” Wegscheid said. “None of this could have happened without everybody in this community. We know that we didn’t have the money to do it, and you all have just come out by donating for the auction, by coming and spending money at the auction, by all the fundraisers, by voting for the grant that we got.”

Wegscheid shared her excitement for the day.

“You all have just come together for us and really made this happen and I know Lexi is very proud of this day,” Wegscheid said. “We’re looking forward to getting all the dogs in the dog park and have a lot of fun getting to socialize and meet all the little four-legged friends.”

Rounds explained some of the continued fundraising efforts at the event.

“There are a lot of opportunities today to participate,” Rounds said. “We have a kiosk over here- it’s a big mailbox looking thing that people can put donations in at any time.”

Lexi’s Puppy Patch is a free off-leash dog park, meaning patrons can come at any time from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Donations will be used to make repairs and improvements to the park. The city will be maintaining the property regarding mowing and providing water.

“It would be up to the volunteers of this community to keep it a nice facility for the next 20 years and beyond,” Rounds said.

Aside from the kiosk, attendees could help out the park by purchasing bandanas, T-shirts and dog treats from tables manned by Sarah Hughes and the Creston Animal Rescue Effort. In addition to these stands, Hy-Vee was present selling food, with any money made going toward the the dog park.

Though they don’t have agility equipment now, that’s one of their next projects.

“Our next big thing we’ll be working on is trying to raise money, around $10,000 is what we need to raise,” Rounds said. “The more we raise, the more we can do, but we’d like to build agility equipment in this park, because you can’t really have a park without a playground.”

While the park has some equipment, Rounds said they are hoping to get more.

“We’d like top-notch equipment, not stuff I make at home that will fall apart in two weeks,” he said. “This I will have professionally built and brought in and installed into the park.”

Sarah Hughes presented the family with a check for $950 from T-shirt and bandana sales. An additional $377 was donated through drink and dog treat sales. Hy-Vee reported $157 made through food sales.

Rounds shared how the project has affected the family.

“I want to point out that I’ve met a lot of new, cool people since Lexi’s passing,” he said. “I think that’s important. A lot of you people here I didn’t know two years ago and now I do. Some of you I still don’t know. Our family’s gotten to know a lot of cool people because of this. Good things come from bad things, and we’re grateful for that.”

The dog park will not be available for use until grass has been established, according to Creston Parks and Recreation rules. The Rounds family hopes to see it open in a couple of weeks.

Lexi’s Third Annual Soccer Tournament will be hosted Saturday, June 3, with all proceeds going towards the dog park.