IT'S TIME TO STRUT YOUR MUTT! Join us for a tail-wagging good time at the Second Annual Dog Days of Summer! The City of Coos Bay Parks Adopt-A-Park Pilot Program (AAPPP) invites the community to the Second Annual Dog Days of Summer at John Topits Park – Middle Empire Lake (off Hull Street) on Saturday, August 16. This year’s event is proudly co-sponsored by The South Coast Shopper and promises fun for both people and pups! Activities include: •Guided Park Walks to explore the beautiful trails. •The Dog Strut, featuring fantastic prizes that will make tails wag—thanks to The South Coast Shopper and other generous sponsors—for Best Costume, Paw-sitively Polite, and Judges’ Choice. All dogs participating in the Dog Strut must be on a leash (6 feet or shorter) and under owner control at all times to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all. Event Purpose & Partnerships The event raises funds for replacing park trail markers by “adopters” in the AAPPP. August is both National Dog Month and Clear the Shelter Month, and we’re proud to again partner with Friends of Coos County Animals (FOCCAS) to collect donations—cash or supplies—to help pets find their forever homes. We’ll also be promoting the use of compostable dog waste bags, reducing microplastics in our watershed, and encouraging proper disposal of pet waste in Coos Bay parks. Event Schedule •9:00 AM – Volunteer check-in. (To volunteer, email: [email protected] for details.) •9:30 AM – Public check-in for The Dog Strut and Paw-some Park Walks. •11:00 AM – Final adopter sign-ups for trail markers; Dog Strut judging begins. •12:00 PM – Event concludes. Remember to practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out what you pack in and disposing of waste properly. The City of Coos Bay’s parks, recreation, and cultural facilities provide vital leisure spaces for residents and visitors, preserving the area’s natural, scenic, cultural, and historic treasures for future generations. Learn more about our parks: coosbayor.gov/community/city-parksPhotos from Coos Bay - City Government's post