FAIRHOPE, Ala. — “Come on, William, you’ll like this better than the hot sun,” said veterinarian Teresa Marshall, looking back at Sir William of Bankhead, walking slowly down the path behind her. ”That’s better, isn’t it?”

The large black dog plopped down in a shady patch of sand, lifting an unmistakable dog smile in her direction.

Nearby, D’ana Snow’s dogs, Rusty and Missy, bounced after a ball or rolled on their backs.

The dogs seemed to have given their enthusiastic blessings to the future site of the Fairhope Dog Park, located on of a shaded hillside at Volanta Municipal Park.

Snow and Marshall are co-chairs of the Fairhope Dog Park Coalition, who have been working for several years to make the park a reality. In April, the city announced it had donated about 2 acres for the off-leash dog park. The coalition is now spearheading a fundraising drive to raise approximately $25,000 for fences, water and waste stations and an electric gate, before the park can be opened to the public.

“Our goal is to establish a safe and pleasant place for our dogs to run and play off-leash, and for dog lovers to gather to share and enjoy their four-legged companions and each other,” said Snow, who began the park effort about four years ago. “A well-socialized, well-trained and well-exercised dog makes a good companion and a good neighbor. Many dogs would not wind up in shelters if those needs were addressed.”

The coalition met Wednesday night to discuss upcoming fundraising plans and events, which include a groundbreaking ceremony in September and a Howl-A-Ween Party at the dog park site on Oct. 26.

“The basic purpose (of the October event) is to raise awareness about the park,” said Sarah Cummings, who is helping to organize the event of costume contests, treat hunts, dog/owner look-alike contests, bobbing for tennis balls, and other activities. “This will show people where it’s going to be, and give people a chance to meet other supporters of the park.”

Although private citizens are responsible for raising funds to open the park, the monies raised are paid to and sent to the city and are tax-deductible, said Rose Fogarty, the city’s financial reporting manager.

“Any donation made to a municipality is tax-deductible,” Fogarty said. “So there was no need for the group to set up a nonprofit corporation.”

The group has raised a little over $1,000 thus far, but that does not include some funds that have not been received yet, such as half of the donations from a fund-raising campaign of the Baldwin Animal Rescue Center that collected dollar “votes” for Willie Bean, the local canine celebrity “candidate” for mayor.

Willie Bean has thrown his support behind the Dog Park.

“Willie always looks forward to getting off his leash and run free, especially to meet other dogs,” said Tress Turner, Willie Bean’s owner and spokesperson. “It makes him happy. I think the new dog park will create a place in our community where people can meet other dog lovers and give dogs a chance to make new friends in a safe beautiful place.

Snow said the Fairhope Dog Coalition is actively looking for new members but is fortunate for the members of the group who have been working so hard for so long.

“I’m so glad this faithful group keeps turning out,” Snow said at Wednesday’s meeting.

Soon, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department will begin clearing the site, said Eddie Boyette, department director.

“We’re not going to touch the trees,” he said. “But we’ll start clearing some of the underbrush in the next week.”

The next meeting of the Fairhope Dog Park Coalition is 6:30 p.m., Sept. 9, at Ruby Tuesday restaurant in Fairhope, Snow said.

“We urge those of you who are ‘dog people’ to join us in our effort to raise enough money to build a fence and supply other needed elements to establish this park.”

Tax-deductible donations should be made to City of Fairhope, Dog Park and sent to P.O. Box 429, Fairhope 36532.

For information, send an e-mail to fairhopedogpark@aol.com.