Stories

Visitor Profile: Michelle Kelly

Published: May 17, 2022

Name: Michelle Kelly
Age: 53
Occupation: Exceptional Children Teacher’s Aide, St Stephens High School
Resides in: Hickory
Favorite Catawba County Park: St. Stephens Dog Park

Tell us a little about yourself. Are you from Catawba County or what brought you to Hickory? 
I've lived in many states, but in my last 30-some years, I have spent 15 in Nebraska and 15 in Kansas. Then my husband took a job in Lenoir and we've been here in Hickory about seven years.

What brings you out to Catawba County Parks?
I come every day to the dog park at St. Stephens Park. We have three small dogs and they are easy to walk and easy to take care of. Then my daughter in Kansas City could not keep her two large dogs so I took them in. They need to be exercised every day! Azul is a Doberman and Charlie is a pit bull mix; they’re about four years old so they still have a lot of energy. Azul is so large that I can't really walk her well. So I bring them out to St. Stephens Dog Park. Here they can get such great exercise; they can run as fast as they want for as long as they want and they’re just so happy.

How long have you been coming to St. Stephens Park?
We have been coming to the dog park here at St. Stephens Park since January of 2021. We come every day, rain or shine; it’s a priority. I really appreciate that the park is open every day; they only close three days a year: Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve and Day. But other than that, they're always open: rain, shine, snow…

The dogs never get tired of coming here. I always wonder, “Don't dogs get bored?” but they get so excited to come here. They howl and scream. They know we're getting here; they always love it.

I usually come right after school. There aren’t a lot of dogs here at that time, maybe five or six other dogs at the most; sometimes it’s just one or two and sometimes it’s just us. It's a very good size park and it’s never crowded. It’s perfect.

My dogs are very socialized and playful and other people like for their dogs to play with mine. So a lot of times they work around my schedule and they'll come when I'm here because of Azul and Charlie. We all are here because we love our dogs. I've learned a lot from the other patrons and have met many great people coming here. It's neat to have a place where you can connect with others on something that you're all passionate about. It's a wonderful place to come every day.

What do you like about the dog park?
I really like that the dog park has a long stretch where my dogs can run. There is enough good grass area that even when it's raining I can throw the ball and keep them on a grass terrain. My Doberman, especially, is like a thoroughbred horse and she can really pick up speed and she can go. But there is also a nice little wooded area where my pit bull likes to explore. There are rocks, there are trees, there are logs and he enjoys that. 

My dogs also enjoy that there's a playground right there. I don't have small children anymore, but they like seeing the kids playing. They also enjoy seeing people walk the track. So it's good for them in many aspects.

We are so grateful that the dog park is staffed; the rangers are wonderful. At first I wondered, “Why do you need a ranger at a dog park?” It seemed unnecessary at first thought, but now I see how very helpful they are; they have helped me in so many ways. If new dogs are coming in, the rangers are always there making sure everybody acclimates well, giving us tips and helping us assimilate new dogs in. They also keep the park clean. We as patrons, we all do our part to keep the ground clean from our dog’s waste but the rangers are always looking for ways to make the park better: keeping the sides free from poison ivy and clearing trees to keep the area open for the dogs to run.

Then there are the little things that the rangers do for us patrons: If we're short on water, they go get it. If it starts raining, they usually have an umbrella on hand. Or one time I forgot my dog’s leash at home and they had an extra one for me to use. The rangers are very helpful in that way; I can tell they really care.

Have you had any experiences or visits to the dog park that stand out in your memory more than others?
Yes. A few months ago, one of my dogs had a medical emergency here at the dog park. My Doberman loves balls and my pit bull does too. Well, this particular time, Azul got both of their balls in her mouth and swallowed one and was not able to breathe. She was laying on the ground and foaming at the mouth. A couple of patrons helped me get her in the van, but meanwhile, the ranger located the nearest vet clinic, called them and had them waiting at the door so when I pulled up they were ready and they were able to get Azul right in to treat her. It makes me emotional to think about it because I could have lost her; it was very scary.

I was very thankful that the park had someone here because I could have been here alone. It is wonderful having a ranger to help if there's an emergency or a situation between the dogs. 

What keeps you coming back to this dog park over any other?
The dog park here at St. Stephens Park is well planned out. I like how close the parking is to the gate where the dogs go in. My Doberman is very large; I can get from the car to the gate very easily. The bathrooms are nearby. There are water fountains. There’s a picnic shelter, the playground and the walking trail, all within sight. Plus now there is a small dog park here too so there’s a choice for dog owners between the two. I really like the wide open space, the amenities and how it's kept very clean.

I really appreciate knowing that the dogs that come here are current on their vaccinations. There is a $20/year fee to use the dog park, which also covers access into the dog parks at Riverbend Park and the new Mountain Creek Park.
 
Most of all, it just makes me happy that my dogs have a place to come to run and to play with other dogs. They're so well behaved at home because they know every day they're going to get to come here. For me, it's a very peaceful place to come. My days are really busy; I love working with kids, but it is very busy. I love having a nice serene place to come at the end of a busy day where my dogs are happy and where I can focus on them and connect with them. It's a beautiful park; it's refreshing and relaxing to visit with my dogs and I always look forward to it.