By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Marion city council members gave the official nod to a dog park to be developed by Marion Girl Scouts during Tuesday’s meeting.

The park, which the scouts have been planning to build for months, needed a vote to approve its changed location to Ann’s Park.

Since January, the troop has planned and raised money for the project.

Last month troop leader Brenda Soyez told the council that the original proposed site would have to be sprayed for trees and mowed. She also said installing fence around the property would be a problem because of the way water flows over that property.

Parks and recreation director Margo Yates said the city recreation board approved the Ann’s Park location. Troop members will talk to neighbors with property around the park to make sure they are OK with having a dog park there, put up signs, and get underground utilities located before installing fence.

Mayor Todd Heitschmidt suggested the troop set hours for the park so it’s not open 24 hours a day.